Editing Twig

{{Short description|Small thin terminal branch of a woody plant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Wiktionary|twig}}
[[File:Fresh powder held in the maze of undergrowth covering Hachey Creek in Myra-Bellvue Park.webm|thumb|Twigs covered in powdered snow]]

A '''twig''' is a thin, often short, [[branch]] of a [[tree]] or [[Bush (plant)|bush]].<ref>{{cite Dictionary.com|twig|access-date=2018-09-16}}</ref>

The buds on the twig are an important diagnostic characteristic, as are the [[abscission]] scars where the leaves have fallen away. The color, texture, and patterning of the twig [[bark (botany)|bark]] are also important, in addition to the thickness and nature of any [[pith]] of the twig.<ref name=Crivellaro>Alan Crivellaro and Fritz Hans Schweingruber {{google books|7PvFBAAAQBAJ|Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and shrubs: with a special focus on Cyprus (2013)|page=2}}</ref>

There are two types of twigs: vegetative twigs and [[fruiting spur]]s. Fruiting spurs are specialized twigs that generally branch off the sides of branches and are stubby and slow-growing, with many annular [[dendrochronology|ring markings]] from seasons past. The twig's age and rate of growth can be determined by counting the winter terminal bud scale scars, or annular ring marking, across the diameter of the twig.

==Uses==
Twigs can be useful in starting a [[Campfire|fire]]. They can be used as [[wikt:kindling|kindling]] wood, bridging the gap between highly flammable [[tinder]] (dry grass and leaves) and [[firewood]]. This is due to their high amounts of stored [[carbon dioxide]] used in [[photosynthesis]].

Twigs are a feature of [[tool use by non-humans]]. For example, [[chimpanzee]]s have been observed using twigs to go "fishing" for termites,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yirka |first1=Bob |title=Termite fishing techniques in wild chimpanzees show some elements of cultural diversity |url=https://phys.org/news/2020-05-termite-fishing-techniques-wild-chimpanzees.html |website=phys.org |access-date=8 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref> and elephants have been reported using twigs to scratch parts of their ears and mouths which could not be reached by rubbing against a tree.<ref>{{cite news |last=B K |first=Lakshmikanta |date=24 July 2020 |title=Elephants at Bengaluru's BBP use twigs to scratch their bodies |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/elephants-at-bengalurus-bbp-use-twigs-to-scratch-their-bodies/articleshow/77144447.cms |work=The Times of India |location=Bengaluru |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Plant morphology]]
[[Category:Building materials]]
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