6 THE OAK 



The shoot-system consists of the stem and all that it 

 supports. The stem or trunk is usually irregular when 

 young, but becomes more symmetrical later, and after 

 fifty years or so it normally consists of a nearly straight 

 and cylindrical shaft with a broad base and spreading 

 branches. The main branches come out at a wide angle, 

 and spread irregularly, with a zigzag course, due to the 

 short annual growths of the terminal shoots and the 

 few axillary buds behind, and also to the fact that many 

 of the axillary lateral buds develop more slowly than 

 their parent shoot, and are cut off in the autumn. 

 Another phenomenon which co-operates in producing 

 the very irregular spreading habit of the branches is the 

 almost total suppression of some of the closely-crowded 

 buds ; these may remain dormant for many years, and 

 then, under changed circumstances, put forth accessory 

 shoots. Such shoots are very commonly seen on the 

 stems and main branches of large oaks to which an 

 increased accession of light is given by the thinning out 

 of surrounding trees. 



The short ovoid buds develop into shoots so short 

 that they are commonly referred to as tufts of leaves, 

 though longer summer shoots often arise later. The 

 latter are also called Lammas shoots. The crown of 

 foliage is thus very dense, and the bright green of the 

 leaves in early summer is very characteristic, especially 

 in connection with the horizontal, zigzag spreading 

 of the shoots. 



While still young the tree is apt to keep its dead 



