Epicormic shoots on the trunk of a horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum). Part of a boss on the trunk of a horse chestnut tree. The boss protrudes a few centimetres from the trunk, and has a randomly patterned bark surface. Many developing epicormic shoots are visible (green outgrowths, partly encased in brown scales). The potential for epicormic growth of this type is widespread amongst deciduous trees; it is most commonly seen on lime trees (Tilia spp). The presence of buds beneath the bark, which may never need to break their dormancy, is a means by which a tree can survive injury, local infection or loss of limbs due to rot or storm damage. The tree in this picture was growing in an exposed situation with considerable damage to its upper limbs.