odrost

Odrost is a term used in horticulture and forestry to describe a new shoot that emerges from the base, roots, or lower trunk of a woody plant after pruning, damage, or a period of dormancy. These shoots, often called basal shoots or root suckers, originate from latent buds located at or near the root collar or from the rootstock. Odrost can develop rapidly and may form a new stem that contributes to canopy regeneration. They are common after coppicing or heavy pruning and can occur in many species, including fruit trees such as apples and cherries, as well as ornamental shrubs and woody perennials.

In management, odrost can be both beneficial and problematic. In forestry and perennial production, controlled odrost can be used to regenerate stands or generate biomass; in fruit production, rootstock suckers may divert resources from the cultivated variety and are usually removed unless they are intended for propagation or to form a new leader. Distinguishing odrost from other regrowth types, like epicormic shoots that arise under bark, helps in deciding the appropriate response. Propagation uses include selecting vigorous odrost and using cuttings or layering to establish new plants.

Etymology: the term is used in several Slavic languages and generally denotes regrowth or new shoots following damage or pruning.