Watersprout
/WAW-ter-sprowt/🌲 Arboriculture●● Intermediate
Also known as: water sprout, epicormic sprout
An epicormic shoot that grows rapidly and vertically from dormant buds on the trunk or main branches. Watersprouts are typically poorly attached, weakly structured, and indicate stress (excessive pruning, storm damage, root disturbance, or disease). They should be removed early while small. Contrast with suckers (from roots).
Etymology
English water (suggesting rapid, watery growth) + sprout
Example
“Heavy topping produces a forest of watersprouts with weak branch attachments prone to failure.”