Which characteristic of a tree is least likely to affect its response to pruning?

The characteristic of location is least likely to affect a tree's response to pruning because the physiological processes that dictate how a tree heals and grows after pruning are more intrinsically tied to its biological traits rather than extrinsic factors like location.

While the age of the tree, its species, and its vitality directly influence how it responds to pruning—such as the timing of new growth, the type and amount of growth that will occur, and the tree's overall health—location primarily refers to environmental conditions and factors surrounding the tree. Although a particular location may impact a tree’s growth conditions (like soil type, water availability, or sunlight exposure), it does not affect the biological processes related to how the tree reacts to pruning cuts themselves.

Different species have distinct responses to pruning; for instance, some may compartmentalize wounds more effectively than others. Similarly, the tree's age can dictate how it has developed structurally, influencing its resilience during and after pruning. Lastly, the overall vitality of the tree is critical, as a healthy tree is better able to respond positively to pruning compared to a stressed or unhealthy one. Therefore, the other options have direct implications on the tree's response to pruning, while location is a more indirect factor.