In that analysis, diameter of current annual growth was the dependent variable, with location on the twig (at the
bud scale scar or bite) where diameter was measured, previous browsing history (browsed or unbrowsed), and their interaction as main effects.
This twig's terminal bud had opened, the large inner
bud scales had expanded and fallen back, and the green, velvety beginnings of leaves and stems had begun to grow skyward.
Don't forget that if your peaches, nectarines or almonds suffered damaging red and purple leaf blistering caused by the peach leaf curl fungus last year, the infection will still be lurking on the bark and
bud scales, ready to attack this year's new leaves.
The spores develop in autumn creating colonies which survive the winter in crevices and
bud scales. The colonies then send out spores which infect the new leaves starting the process off again.
On every living branch and twig of every shrub and tree, tucked within myriad buds blanketed by
bud scales from frigid weather, are countless tiny, fully formed baby leaves.
Hatching larvae in late March or April, depending on how many warm winter days we've had, will enter the spaces between
bud scales and make lace out of the tender foliage inside.
Peach leaf curl is caused by a fungus (Taphrina deformans); rainwater-spread spores enter and infect leaf buds as the
bud scales separate and expose the leaf tips.