subbranch

Subbranch is a term used to describe a secondary branch that arises from a higher-level branch or main stem. In many contexts, it denotes a subordinate or offshoot segment within a branching system. The word is formed from sub- meaning under or below and branch.

In botany and forestry, sub-branches (often called laterals or secondary branches) grow from main branches and contribute to the plant's crown architecture. Their growth is influenced by light, gravity, and pruning; management of sub-branches is common in fruit trees to improve yields and structure.

In organizational or institutional contexts, "sub-branch" may refer to a local office or subdivision that reports to a larger branch of a bank, government agency, or company. The term implies a hierarchy in which the sub-branch handles routine functions under the supervision of the main branch.

In computing or mathematics, "subbranch" is less standard; when used, it often describes a branch in a tree that extends from a parent branch, effectively a part of a larger branching structure. In formal terms, such structures are described as trees and subtrees or child branches.

Related concepts include branch, subtree, lateral (botany), and pruning. The exact meaning and usage of subbranch can vary by field, and in some disciplines the preferred terms are more specific (for example, lateral branches in botany or subtree in graph theory).