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4.2: Young trees

  • Page ID
    20261
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    An approximate age for many young conifers can be determined by “counting the whorls.” Some trees, including most conifers growing in the Pacific Northwest, have determinate height growth. This means that they put on one “flush of growth” each year, and that this year’s growth is determined by last year’s bud. The terminal and lateral buds at the tips of the tree break bud, or “flush” in the spring (Figure 4.2). The stems or “leaders” produced by these buds elongate until some time in July, and then set new buds for the following spring.

    3.2-1024x620.png

    Figure 4.2. Terminal buds at the tip of the stem (left) flush and grow new branches and leaves each year (right). The center becomes the new leader, or main stem. The lateral or side buds become new lateral branches.

    A tree increases in height by the length of the new leader growth produced by the terminal bud (from old bud to new bud). In addition, the lateral buds flush and produce a new whorl of branches at the base of the leader (old bud location) (Figure 4.3). This process is repeated every year. Therefore, each whorl of branches and the stem growth immediately above it (up to the next whorl) represent one year of growth.

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    Figure 4.3. An annual flush of growth represents one year, or one whorl of growth.


    This page titled 4.2: Young trees is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Joan DeYoung (OpenOregon) .

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