[1] The buds on the twig are an important diagnostic characteristic, as are the abscission scars where the leaves have fallen away.
The twig's age and rate of growth can be determined by counting the winter terminal bud scale scars, or annular ring marking, across the diameter of the twig.
They can be used as kindling wood, bridging the gap between highly flammable tinder (dry grass and leaves) and firewood.
This is due to their high amounts of stored carbon dioxide used in photosynthesis.
For example, chimpanzees have been observed using twigs to go "fishing" for termites,[3] and elephants have been reported using twigs to scratch parts of their ears and mouths which could not be reached by rubbing against a tree.