Young trees grow longer in the growing season than older trees. Length of active growth is determined by temperature, day length, and water. Tree species have a wide range of lifespans. The way trees grow affects their form. Apical dominance means that the apical blld at the tip of the stem controls and inhibits growth of lateral buds.
Most palms only have one apical bud.
The main stem or leader of pines is prominent, but branches formed by lateral buds change the form, resulting in less apical dominance than palms. An oak tree has very little apical dominance, with several branches dominating the crown. A few of the stress-induced practices and environmental conditions are discussed briefly along with how they affect growth. If you prune the apical buds, the lateral buds are released and new shoots grow. This growth of new branches is most likely to occur in angiosperms - everyone has seen sprouts from the stump of a freshly cut oak, maple, or elm.