system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
How and when do trees decide where they will start "branching" off?
gpt
There are two main hormones involved. Terminal buds produce auxin, which inhibits the growth of other buds. Roots produce cytokinins, which counteract auxin. As long as there is enough auxin present and little cytokinins, the lateral buds stay dormant. Once the roots are strong enough and the terminal bud is far enough, the balance tips in the opposite direction and the buds wake up and start growing into branches.