Some bud scales have unique colors and coverings of various fibers and waxes. Sometimes you can find these scales scattered across the ground under a tree that has fast expanded its leaves. And so on, and so on. . . These growing points could grow to be next year's flowers or leaves. 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.