This is a sacrificial branch, due to become useless in the future in terms of the shape of the tree but which is deliberately left to grow. For instance, if the trunk is to be developed, the entire tree grows thick if the branch is kept untouched even though it is of no use. However, if it remains intact for a long time it will bear conspicuous traces when it is severed. Therefore, it is desirable that the branch be clipped after the trunk succeeds in achieving its purpose of thickness. Also, there are cases of switching from giseishi l to 2 in phases.

translated by Kyodo News