Tree Buds are the structure that trees use to protect their newly forming flowers, branches, and leaves. Having a little bit of knowledge about them is important when trimming flowering and fruit bearing trees. Read on to find out more.

Types of Tree Buds

Terminal buds are located at the end or apex of the main stem. Over time, these end up forming the tree trunk.

Buds that can grow into either stems, leaves, or flowers are called mixed buds.

Lateral or flower buds grow from the leaf axils and nodes along the sides of the trunk and branches. These grow into branched flowers.

Leaf buds or vegetative buds grow into leaves and shoot buds grow into shoots.

General Physical Characteristics

In general, tree buds have tough outer scales. These tough outer scales are not very big, and they are like modified leaves. They overlap each other in a shingle type fashion. This protects the precious internal material.

Of course, there are a variety of combinations and exceptions to all of the generalities.

Floral buds usually grow in clusters. They are usually larger and more spherical than leaf buds. Leaf buds are smaller and slenderer and oblong.

Why is it important to know about tree buds?

Many trees set their buds prior to the winter. They are created when the tree has plenty of energy. For flowering trees, when and how you prune is critical to ensuring that flowers will be present in the spring. If you prune all or many of the flower buds, then the tree will not produce many flowers!

Resources - Find Out More

If you want to read more about this complex phenomenon here are some suggestions. First, the

Ecologist’s Notebook talks in depth about silver and red maple buds.

Tree Buds | Ecologist's Notebook (psu.edu)

Second, if you want to learn how to identify some trees by their buds, this is a great resource.

LEAFWinterTreeIDKey.pdf (uwsp.edu)

Finally, this article will help you learn how to tell leaf buds from flower buds.  How to tell fruit buds from leaf buds – Grow Great Fruit