6 THE OAK. 



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 com- 

 monly 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 

 leaves on the branches through the winter, or at least 





