Flower Bud Forks
Most frangipani species only fork after producing a flower bud. The flower bud appears first, then two new shoots will appear either side of the bud. Sometimes, three shoots appear and sometimes, rarely, only a single shoot will appear. After a few months the flower bud will be spent and the new shoots will turn into branches.
Broken Branches
When a branch breaks off in a storm or by accident, it can also produce new shoots that turn into a fork. The jagged end at the break is usually unattractive so it’s better to use a handsaw to cut off the jagged end, leaving a nice smooth cut.
Cutting Off Branches
If you need to cut off a frangipani branch for pruning, cropping or to tidy up a broken branch, you should think about whether you want more or less branches.
Advice
Either way, it’s generally not a good idea to prune a frangipani to get more branches. It’s better to be patient and let the frangipani get more branches naturally.