Which growth habit is associated with excurrent trees?

• A. Strong apical control with a central leader and cone-shaped crown
• B. Weak apical control and diffuse crown
• C. No central leader and broad crown
• D. Multiple leaders and flat crown

Answer: (A)

Excurrent growth is defined by strong apical dominance, keeping a single central leader and producing a cone-shaped (pyramidal) crown. This vertical, tapering form is typical of trees that maintain a dominant main stem and suppress many lateral branches, resulting in a tall, pointed silhouette. The description of strong apical control with a central leader and cone-shaped crown directly matches this pattern.

The other growth patterns describe decurrent forms: weak apical control leading to a diffuse crown, no central leader with a broad crown, or multiple leaders with a flat crown.