Studies on the Formation of Epicormic Shoots on Eucalypt Stem Segments

Abstract

Epicormic shoots occur on many forest trees including eucalypts. They are formed from bud-producing tissue situated in the bark at the ends of the epicormic bud strand. The strands originate in leafaxils, and grow radially outward at almost exactly the same rate as diameter growth of the stem (Jacobs 1955). The epicormic bud is normally dormant but may develop into a shoot within the live crown, aiding in crown maintenance, or on the clear bole where it may seriously reduce timber quality as a knot, gum vein, or a site for fungal infeotion.