BUDS AND BRANCHES 



97 



case it cannot grow straight on from the tip the next year, but 

 one of the twigs a little farther back will be rapidly developed 

 and will serve to prolong the main branch. 



FIG. 81. Opposite branching in privet 



The branch is shown as it appeared in March. The growth of the year terminated 



in a flower cluster, followed by fruit. Since no terminal bud was formed, the 



continuation of the main branch during the next season would have been by the 



strong growth of the twig tw 



If the terminal bud of the main stem continues year after 

 year to be the strongest, the general form of the tree will be 

 somewhat conical, as are larches and spruces; but if some 

 branches grow in length as fast as the main trunk, the tree 

 will become round-topped and spreading, like an apple tree. 



