What is a primary reason trees are pruned?

Pruning trees is often conducted to improve the quality of timber, and increasing the amount of clear wood in saw-timber trees is a principal objective of these practices. Clear wood refers to sections of the tree that are free of defects like knots or branches, which enhance the value and usability of the wood when it is harvested for lumber. By selectively removing lower branches and other defects, the tree can direct more resources into the upper parts, leading to more uniform and higher quality wood. This practice is especially significant for trees intended for the timber industry, as clear wood commands a higher market price and contributes greatly to the overall health and structure of the tree.

While the other options touch on outcomes related to tree health and growth, they do not focus on the specific goal of producing high-quality wood. Encouraging denser growth and improving tree height may be beneficial in some contexts but are not the primary motivations behind pruning for timber purposes. Similarly, while eliminating dead branches is an important practice for tree health and reducing disease spread, the focus in this question is specifically on maximizing wood quality.