[ELI5] How do willow trees grow upwards if their branches are leaning downwards?

Question

[ELI5] How do willow trees grow upwards if their branches are leaning downwards?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Only the thin outermost branches of willows hang down.

Trees (and plants in general) have an inherent “sense” of which way gravity points and will grow upward regardless of the direction prior growth is pointing. For example, if a tree is bent over by some violent event, its trunk will curve upward until it is straight again. Examples:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Krzywy_Las_-_Nowe_Czarnowo_2.JPG

https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/trees-refuse-to-give-up-109-598428d037388__700.jpg