How do trees decide when and where their branches grow?

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How do trees decide when and where their branches grow?

In: Biology

22 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Trunk grows up.

Branch comes out a side.

Next branch needs to grow out a different side, to not block light to the first branch.

Next branch again needs to grow out a different angle, to not block light going to first two branches.

So branches need to grow out at an angle that minimises interference with previous branches.

Turns out, the best angle is the golden ratio.

Interactive version here
https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/nature-golden-ratio-fibonacci.html

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