A tree that splits into two or more dominant stems, usually resulting from early damage to the terminal bud. Schoolmarms are notoriously difficult and dangerous to fell because their center of gravity is unpredictable and the crotch can split violently during the cut.
Heard on the job
Watch your escape route on that schoolmarm, she has a heavy lean on the left fork.
Insider tip
Fallers hate schoolmarms because the uneven weight distribution makes them prone to barber-chairing if not cut perfectly.
Also heard as
- forked tree
- crotch tree