What type of pruning cut is used to promote branches along a stem that has few lateral branches?

The appropriate type of pruning cut used to promote the development of lateral branches on a stem that has few branches is a heading cut. This cut involves removing the terminal portion of a branch to stimulate growth in the lateral buds, encouraging the development of new shoots or branches from those buds. By making a heading cut, the overall structure of the plant can be enhanced, leading to a bushier appearance as new branches grow.

Heading cuts are particularly useful when trying to encourage branching in areas where there is sparse foliage, as they essentially redirect the plant's energy to the lateral buds below the cut. This helps establish a denser and more balanced canopy.

In contrast, thinning cuts remove entire branches back to their point of origin and are aimed at reducing the density of a tree or improving air circulation. Reduction cuts reduce the size of a branch without removing it entirely, which can help maintain the tree's natural shape while still allowing for some vertical growth. Cleaning cuts remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood but don't foster new growth. Each of these other types of cuts serves a different purpose and does not specifically promote branch development along a stem in the way a heading cut does.