Tree ID by lateral opposite buds
Terminal buds are formed at the end of the shoot. Lateral buds are formed at the junction of the leaf and shoot. Lateral buds are formed at particular points on the shoot called nodes. If there are 2 buds at each node they are said to be opposite. If there is one bud at each node the buds are said to be alternate.
Tree ID by lateral opposite buds – here are 10 photos of tree stems with lateral buds that are in opposite pairs. Note that the Buckthorn Purging stem has buds which are opposite but sometimes slightly staggered.
For more information on terminal buds click HERE. Click on any name in RED to learn more about the tree. To go back to the BUDS key click HERE
In Britain most tree growth occurs in spring and summer. During the growing season the tree produces buds ready for next years growth. These buds remain dormant during the winter and open in the following spring. Inside each bud are tiny preformed leaves, shoots or flowers. Terminal buds are formed at the end of the shoot. Lateral buds are formed at the junction of the leaf and shoot. Leaves and lateral buds are formed at particular points on the shoot called nodes. As the shoot grows in the summer, the terminal bud releases a hormone which prevents lateral buds forming. The concentration of this hormone is high at the tip but as the tip grows away it becomes low enough for lateral buds to form at a node. The tip then continues to grow until another node can grow and so on until growth ends for the year.