In order to appreciate branch success, branch failure should be examined. How do branches fail? When branches fail and are sealed-off, their history is embedded within the nodal area. (Coder 2019a) Branch failure is a common event in trees. In one study of branch failures during a major storm, branch failures were caused by: 5.4% included periderm (bark) unions; 9.7 % lion’s tailed or severly end-weighted foliage concentration; 9.8% forks or codominant branches; 11.6% branch cavities; 18% dead branches; 25.8% overextended branches (low taper / high slenderness); and, 33.3% branch decay. (Koeser et al. 2020) In another study, branch failures were caused by: branch or branch union decay (3%); codominant branches (10%); lack of pruning care & lion’s tailing (10%); branch base periderm inclusions, cracks, and sharp bends (23%); and, simply excessive wind / snow / ice loads (54%). (van Haaften et al. 2021) Branches fail for a variety of reasons.