the presence of a growing apical bud often inhibits the growth of lateral (axillary) buds, a phenomenon known as apical dominance. Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) usually results in the growth of lateral buds. This practice is widely applied in tea plantations and hedge-making to promote dense branching . Preparing weed-free lawns involves the use of synthetic auxins like 2, 4-D, not decapitation .