Tree and plants branches of several sizesThe branches of this deadcamel thorn tree withinSossusvlei are clearly visibleThe branches and leaves of a treeLooking up into the branch structure of aPinus sylvestris treeLeafless tree branches during winter
Abranch, also called aramus inbotany, is astem that grows off from another stem, or when structures like veins in leaves are divided into smaller veins.[1]
InOld English, there are numerous words for branch, includingseten,stofn,telgor, andhrīs.There are also numerous descriptive words, such asblēd (that is, something that has bled, or 'bloomed', out),bōgincel (literally 'little bough'),ōwæstm (literally 'on growth'), andtūdornes (literally 'offspringing'). Numerous other words for twigs and boughs abound, includingtān, which still survives as the-toe inmistletoe.[2]
Latin words for branch areramus orcladus. The latter term is an affix found in other modern words such ascladodont (prehistoric sharks with branched teeth),cladode (flattened leaf-like branches), orcladogram (a branched diagram showing relations among organisms).
Large branches are known asboughs and small branches are known astwigs.[3] The termtwig usually refers to aterminus, whilebough refers only to branches coming directly from thetrunk.
Due to a broad range of species of trees, branches and twigs can be found in many different shapes and sizes. While branches can be nearlyhorizontal, vertical, ordiagonal, the majority of trees have upwardly diagonal branches. A number of mathematical properties are associated with tree branchings; they are natural examples offractal patterns in nature, and, as observed byLeonardo da Vinci, theircross-sectional areas closely follow theda Vinci branching rule.
A bough can also be called alimb orarm, and though these are arguablymetaphors, both are widely acceptedsynonyms for bough.[4][5] Acrotch orfork is an area where a trunk splits into two or more boughs. Atwig is frequently referred to as asprig as well, especially when it has been plucked.[6] Other words for twig includebranchlet,spray, andsurcle, as well as the technical termssurculus andramulus. Branches found under larger branches can be calledunderbranches.
Some branches from specific trees have their own names, such asosiers andwithes orwithies, which come fromwillows. Often trees have certain words which, in English, are naturallycollocated, such asholly andmistletoe, which usually employ the phrase "sprig of" (as in, a "sprig of mistletoe"). Similarly, the branch of acherry tree is generally referred to as a "cherry branch", while other such formations (i.e., "acacia branch" or "orange branch") carry no such alliance. A good example of this versatility isoak, which could be referred to as variously an "oak branch", an "oaken branch", a "branch of oak", or the "branch of an oak tree".[citation needed]
Once a branch has been cut or in any other way removed from its source, it is most commonly referred to as astick, and a stick employed for some purpose (such aswalking,spanking, orbeating) is often called arod. Thin, flexible sticks are calledswitches,wands,shrags, orvimina (singularvimen).
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