Branching Angle Strategy
Market expansion strategy: narrow focus (vertical integration, going deeper in existing market) vs.
Branching angle determines growth strategy: Narrow angles (20-40°) indicate strong apical dominance with lateral branches growing nearly vertical, maximizing height and minimizing width - optimal in dense forests (poplars, cypresses). Wide angles (60-90°) indicate weak apical dominance with lateral branches growing nearly horizontal, maximizing canopy spread - optimal in open environments (apple trees, fruit trees). Intermediate angles (40-60°) represent balanced branching in most forest trees.
Orchardists manipulate branching angle by training - tying branches down to force horizontal growth breaks apical dominance and induces more lateral branching. A branch forced horizontal produces 3-5× more fruiting spurs than the same branch growing vertical.
Business Application of Branching Angle Strategy
Market expansion strategy: narrow focus (vertical integration, going deeper in existing market) vs. broad expansion (horizontal diversification, adjacent markets). Companies must choose based on competitive environment - dense competition favors focused depth, open markets favor broad expansion.