Biology:Twig

Short description: Small thin terminal branch of a woody plant

File:Fresh powder held in the maze of undergrowth covering Hachey Creek in Myra-Bellvue Park.webm

A twig is a thin, often short, branch of a tree or bush.

The buds on the twig are an important diagnostic characteristic, as are the abscission scars where the leaves have fallen away. The color, texture, and patterning of the twig bark are also important, in addition to the thickness and nature of any pith of the twig.

There are two types of twigs: vegetative twigs and fruiting spurs. Fruiting spurs are specialized twigs that generally branch off the sides of branches and are stubby and slow-growing, with many annular ring markings from seasons past. The twig's age and rate of growth can be determined by counting the winter terminal bud scale scars, or annular ring marking, across the diameter of the twig.

Uses of twig

• Twigs can be useful in starting fire. They can be used as kindling wood, bridging the gap between highly flammable tinder (dry grass and leaves) and firewood. This is due to their high amounts of stored carbon dioxide used in photosynthesis.
• Funnily enough, we know from animals that twigs have another use. A twig may not matter to us, but it seems important to an elephant. Elephants use twigs to scratch their bodies!
• Experts say that better management of green waste, including twigs, rather than dumping them in landfills can help prevent sudden fires at wood dump sites..