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This book is intended for anyone wanting to learn more about trees. The first of its kind, it describes the tree's development and architecture using only everyday language. It presents a few simple rules that govern the growth of the tree and influence its response to its environment. At what stage of its development is the tree currently? Can it adequately respond to pruning? How can you tell the difference between a senescent tree and a declining tree? In what circumstances is it advisable not to intervene with a tree? What are the consequences of a poorly chosen intervention?

Diagnosing a tree's architecture is proposed as a tool for observation and decision-making. It helps make an informed choice, whether it be a method of intervention to meet a management objective or a sampling method to conduct research. It is useful to technicians, managers, professionals, and scientists concerned with trees and forests, as well as to the citizen who is concerned about the single tree growing on their property, wishing it to be in the best shape, sturdy and healthy. The procedure to quickly and simply perform a diagnosis of the tree's architecture is presented, along with the interpretative elements that can be derived from it. Recommendations are made on choosing pruning options when deemed necessary and actions to avoid.

The author advocates for an intervention, or non-intervention, that respects the tree's method of development, in a way that avoids fighting against it with poorly targeted or overly drastic interventions that provoke undesirable growth responses, and instead gently accompanies it to derive the best benefits.