Leaves, Buds, Blossoms, and Branches 71 



In the birch and the 

 oak the stamens and 

 pistils are not found in 

 the same flower, and in 

 willows, poplars, and 

 the box elder they are 

 not even on the same 

 tree. Would a tree 

 that had only flowers 

 with stamens produce 

 seed? 



Growth of branches. 

 When a leaf bud grows, 

 it pushes out a certain 

 length which marks the 

 amount of growth of 

 the branch for that 

 season. Then a second 



bud forms on the tip of the branch, and this in turn 

 grows the next season. Year by year a branch in- 

 creases in length by growth at the tip. Does a branch 

 bear leaves on the part which grew the previous season- 

 or are the leaves always found on twigs and tips of 

 branches that are the same age as themselves? 



With a sharp knife cut off from any tree which can 

 well spare it a branch with branchlets attached. Try 

 to tell by examining the bark how much of the branch 

 grew during the last growing season, and how much 

 the preceding year. Scars left on the bark when the 

 bud scales fell off mark the places where growth was 

 renewed after the winter's rest. A slight difference may 



U. S. Forest Service 



FIG. 42. Catkins of the hazel. Each 

 catkin is a collection of small flowers. 



