WINTER CONDITION OF SHOOTS AND BUDS 6? 



Oak 



in color. The extent of the year's growth varies from a few inches 



to several feet in length, according to the position of the shoot on 



the tree and the vigor of growth. The buds in the axils of the 



leaf are one to three on vigorous 



shoots, usually three. The middle 



one represents the main shoot; the 



lateral ones are branches from its 



base. Often the lateral ones develop 



shoots also, but when they are much 



stouter than the middle one they are 



usually flower buds. If not killed 



by extreme winter cold (say, 26 C. 



15 F. or lower), they will blos- 

 som in the spring. If they have 

 been killed, the flower is black. This 

 can be seen by removing the over- 

 lapping scales, or by cutting it open 

 through the middle. In pruning, 

 from one-third to one-half of the end 

 of these new vigorous shoots is cut 

 away in order to favor fruit develop- 

 ment, and to admit sunlight to the 

 forming fruit. 



111. Shoots of the sumac.* 

 The shoots of the sumac also have 

 indefinite growth, and the terminal 

 portion therefore dies back some 

 distance during the winter. This 

 dead portion is very slender and 

 short and very easily falls away. It 

 is, however, often attached during 

 late winter, and may have remnants 

 of leaves clinging to it. Jarring the shoot usually causes the dead 

 terminal portion to fall. Sometimes the shoot will die back 



* The characters will vary with the species. The species dealt with 

 here is the stag horn sumac, Rhus lyphina = R. hirta of some books. 



Fig. 61. 

 Shoots of butternut, oak and peach. 



