Ensuring its future

Winter isn't the only danger awaiting the bud. As can be seen in this photo, some buds are covered in hairs, which protect them against insect predators. For insects, with their tiny mouths, these little hairs are a big deterrent!

While a broadleaf tree or mature conifer can have from 10,000 to 100,000 buds, palms have only one, at their very top. Because the bud's disappearance would be fatal for a palm, it must be protected. That's why most palm species grow in places without harsh winters, and some even have thorns at the top to defend their precious bud.