If its leaf is damaged or knocked off, though, the growing point could expand into a new sprout this year. Trees have buds nested inside other buds. Looking inside the buds of many tree species, you can see the baby leaves that will some day expand and serve the tree. Inside these buds, at the base of each baby leaf is a baby bud. Assuring survival Trees assure their survival by producing many growing points, only a few of which ever grow.
Buds are a way to externally protect the precious growing points from damage.
As buds become surrounded by wood and overgrown with bark, some die. Many others no longer form scales but grow enough each year to stay just below the bark. The trees keep them in reserve in case surface buds, leaves and branches are damaged. Called dormant or latent buds, the tree can quickly expand them into new shoots if needed. Notice the buds on your trees.