What is "lion tailing" in the context of tree maintenance?

Lion tailing is a pruning practice that involves cutting back branches to create a sparse appearance at the ends while leaving most of the foliage intact at the base of the branches. This technique can indeed lead to excessive growth at the branch ends, resulting in a style that resembles a lion’s tail, hence the name.

While lion tailing is intended to promote light penetration and reduce wind resistance, it often has the undesired effect of concentrating growth in a few areas, causing those ends to grow out excessively. This can lead to imbalances in the tree structure and make it more susceptible to breakage.

Additionally, this practice can compromise the overall health and stability of the tree, as it may not provide adequate foliage for photosynthesis along the length of the branch. The intention behind lion tailing is generally not beneficial for long-term tree health, making the recognition and understanding of this practice crucial in tree maintenance.