The bud out at the tip of the branch is called the Terminal Bud - the obvious onion shapes on this Viburnum. This bud releases a hormone that suppressed the growth of lateral buds and branches behind it. This can affect several inches to several feet behind the bud, depending on the type of plant. This bud is cut off to promote side branching
HOWEVER, the same hormone that tell the branches NOT to grow ALSO tell the ROOTS to grow.
DO NOT CUT OFF BRANCH TIPS ON RECENTLY PLANTED TREES that haven't established their root system.
How NOT to prune a Tree 1: Remember Your Roots
How do you tell if the Root System is established enough for pruning?
While the new branch tips are telling the roots to grow, the new root tips are telling the branches to grow. Check to see how the branch tips are doing.
This is a picture of a cherry planted last year. The growth around 31-32 on the yardstick is last year's growth - barely an inch. The growth from 18-19 to 31 is from the year before, around a foot. The growth from the trunk out to 18 is from 3 years ago, over a foot and a half. The numbers themselves aren't important - but the fact that they are getting smaller is a concern.
This tree cannot be pruned this year. It can be pruned next year if it shows an increase in growth this year.
I am following your lessons, keep them coming please!
Christie
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