a category of tree based on its crown position relative to those of adjacent trees —see stem class, thinning grade, wolf tree; types of crown class are the following:

—codominant a tree whose crown helps to form the general level of the main canopy in even-aged stands or, in uneven-aged stands, the main canopy of the tree's immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above and comparatively little from the sides

—dominant a tree whose crown extends above the general level of the main canopy of even-aged stands or, in uneven-aged stands, above the crowns of the tree's immediate neighbors and receiving full light from above and partial light from the sides

—emergent a tree whose crown is completely above the general level of the main canopy, receiving full light from above and from all sides

—intermediate a tree whose crown extends into the lower portion of the main canopy of even-aged stands or, in uneven-aged stands, into the lower portion of the canopy formed by the tree's immediate neighbors, but shorter in height than the codominants and receiving little direct light from above and none from the sides

—overtopped (suppressed) a tree whose crown is completely overtopped by the crowns of one or more neighboring trees —note the vigor of overtopped (suppressed) trees varies from high to low depending on individual circumstances

—predominant a tree whose crown has grown above the general level of the upper canopyThis definition last updated 10/25/2008