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Overlifting

example of overlifting

Removing too much interior foliage, referred to as over-lifting or lions-tailing (see photo) removes branches that previously provided dampening of movement in wind storms. Without this dampening, main branch movement can increase in a wind storm. This is thought to lead to contribute to damage in storms. Overlifting also removes many live branches that provided a food source for living cells inside the wood. Living cells within the wood die as a result. This can lead to disfunctional wood and cracks.