also: したえ · しずえ
noun
lower branches of a tree
Refers to the branches near the bottom of a tree. Often contrasted with 上枝 (うわえだ, upper branches).
See also: 上枝
台風で下枝が折れてしまった。
The lower branches broke off in the typhoon.
庭師が下枝を剪定している。
The gardener is pruning the lower branches.
Rare reading; したえだ is the more common pronunciation.
上枝 means 'upper branches', the opposite of 下枝.
Compound of 下 (した, 'lower') + 枝 (えだ, 'branch'). The reading したえ is a contraction of したえだ; しずえ is an older or alternative reading.