212 



BUDS 



In most cases the terminal bud of the main branch is largest 

 and its shoot makes the most growth during a growing season, 

 sometimes producing a growth of several feet in a season, while 

 growth from buds not so terminally located is usually much 

 less. 



The shape of a tree depends much upon the relative develop- 

 ment of main and lateral branches. When terminal growth is 

 very strong, lateral growth is weak and the tree develops a cen- 



FIG. 193. Sour Cherry, a tree which has strong lateral growth and 

 consequently no leaders. After L. H. Bailey. 



tral stem, called leader, with lateral branches more or less sup- 

 pressed. This kind of growth is common among Poplars, Pines, 

 and even some fruit trees have it, as the Sweet Cherry in Figure 

 192 illustrates. Trees with this habit of growth tend to grow tall 

 and slender. To induce such trees to grow low and bushy the 

 terminal buds must be removed, so that lateral branches will de- 

 velop. When terminal growth is weak, lateral growth is stronger, 

 and the tree is commonly much branched and leaders are absent, 

 as the Sour Cherry in Figure 193 illustrates. This habit of 

 growth is characteristic of Maples and many other trees. There 



