Tree Support

What is Tree Support?

Tree supports grow organically like branches from the build plate to reach overhangs. They use less material than normal supports, leave fewer marks on the model surface, and are generally easier to remove. Tree supports are ideal for organic models like figurines, sculptures, and complex shapes.

Tree Support Branch Angle

Parameter: tree_support_branch_angle
Unit: Degrees (°)
Default: 40°
Description: Maximum angle the tree branches can grow from vertical. Higher values allow more horizontal growth.

Tree Support Branch Diameter

Parameter: tree_support_branch_diameter
Unit: mm
Default: 2.0mm
Description: Diameter of the tree support branches. Thicker branches are stronger but harder to remove.

Tree Support Branch Diameter Angle

Parameter: tree_support_branch_diameter_angle
Unit: Degrees (°)
Default: 5°
Description: Rate at which branch diameter increases toward the base. Creates a tapered trunk effect.

Tree Support Wall Count

Parameter: tree_support_wall_count
Unit: Walls
Default: 1
Description: Number of perimeter walls for tree supports. More walls = stronger but uses more material.

Tree Support Adaptive Layer Height

Parameter: tree_support_adaptive_layer_height
Type: Boolean
Description: Allow tree supports to use variable layer heights for faster printing while maintaining quality where needed.

Tree Support Auto Brim

Parameter: tree_support_auto_brim
Type: Boolean
Default: Enabled
Description: Automatically add brim to tree support base for better adhesion.

Tree Support vs Normal Support

Aspect	Tree Support	Normal Support
Material usage	Lower	Higher
Removal ease	Easier	Harder
Surface marks	Fewer	More
Slicing speed	Slower	Faster
Best for	Organic shapes	Mechanical parts
Stability	Good	Better

Best Practices

Organic models: Use tree supports for figurines, sculptures, and natural shapes
Mechanical parts: Normal supports may be more reliable for precise fits
Large overhangs: Increase branch diameter for better support
Detailed models: Use smaller branch diameter to reach tight spaces
Slicing time: Tree supports take longer to slice - be patient

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
Supports fall over	Too thin	Increase branch diameter
Can't reach overhang	Angle too low	Increase branch angle
Hard to remove	Too thick	Decrease branch diameter
Slow slicing	Complex model	Use normal supports or simplify
Leaving marks	Z distance too low	Increase support Z distance

Pro Tip: Combine tree supports with support painting to manually block supports in areas where you don't want them, or add supports in specific areas the automatic algorithm might miss.