If a storm breaks off the top of a tree, within a year or two, one of the lower branches will grow upward and become the new tree top, while inhibiting other branches from doing the same. This is an example of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as apical dominance, where the main, central stem of the plant is dominant over (i.e., grows more strongly than) other side stems. The hormones involved, primarily auxins produced at the tip of the dominant stem, inhibit the growth of lateral buds, ensuring that the plant grows more in height than in width. When the top of the tree is removed, the source of auxins is reduced, allowing lower branches to compete to become the new dominant stem.

If a Storm Breaks Off the Top of a Tree