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Stem cracks <br />Stem cracks can form as a result of wounding or rapid temperature changes, exposing wood to disease <br />and decay (Figure 13). Depending on the severity of the crack, up to 2 points can be deducted. Severity <br />increases if there are multiple cracks, cracks with sap oozing out, and/or if there are indications of decay. <br />Figure 13 - Stem Crack <br />(Source: http.//www muukc oru/wp-content/uploads/3013/1 1 /frost_ crack_ initjation_point jpg) <br />Included branch unions <br />Included branch unions occur when bark grows between where a branch and the stem, or where two <br />branches, attach, causing a weak attachment (Figure 14 and 15). Depending on the number of inclusion <br />present, and their severity, a maximum of 0.5 point can be deducted. Only the first main order branches <br />can be considered when deducting points for this category. Do not consider anything further up in the <br />crown of the tree for this stem condition rating. <br />Two codominant stems <br />Included <br />bark and <br />no stem <br />bark ridge <br />Figure 14 - Included Branch Union (Source: Lydia Voth) Figure 15 - Included branch union <br />examples (Source: httu://imaaes.slideulaver.com/13/4023674/slides/slide 17.iu2) <br />20 <br />