@RagnaJa no, in that the cells in wood are already laid down and grown - technically, at least in hardwood plants - they are lignified and actually dead. But - and there is a but - as new rings of wood form and establish, the branches that were just under the bark get deeper and deeper and therefore sturdier *if the angle they are gowing is good enough (U rather than V crotch) and if no bark inclusion occurs*.