The apical bud inhibits the growth of terminal buds further down the stem by a phenomenon known as apical dominance. Auxin is produced by shoot tip and acts as a growth promoter for apical bud and inhibit the growth of lateral buds. When a terminal bud is removed, the nearest axillary buds begin to grow and the plant branches rapidly. In case of mulberry plants, pruning is done to remove apical dominance and causes more branching of the main body of the plant.