The Natural History of Selborne

Mr R: left us.  It has been the received opinion that trees grow in height only by their annual upper shoot.  But my neighbour over the way, Tanner, whose occupation confines him to one spot, assures me, that trees are expanded & raised in the lower parts also.  The reason that he gives is this: the point of one of my Firs in Baker’s hill began for the first time to peep over an opposite roof at the beginning of summer; but before the growing season was over, the whole shoot of the year, & three or four joints of the body beside became visible to him as he sits on his form in his shop.  According to this supposition, a tree may advance in height considerably though the summer shoot should be destroyed every year.