Question

During a windstorm, a large old tree fell in the forest. As it came down, it trapped a young sapling about 5 meters tall underneath it. The top of the sapling bent to the ground under the weight of the other tree but the sapling did not break. What will be the most likely long-term consequence of this for the sapling?
Answer

Auxin and gibberellin in the sapling's stem will cause a gravitropic response in the sapling, and its top will grow upward even though it is held down.

Cytokinin and ethylene will migrate into the top of the sapling, causing a thigmotropic response, and it will

Answer 1

During a windstorm, a large old tree fell in the forest. As it came down, it trapped a young sapling about 5 meters tall underneath it. The top of the 

Auxin and gibberellin in the sapling's stem will cause a gravitropic response in the sapling, and its stop will grow upward even though it is held down. 

Answer 2

Answer: Cytokinin and ethylene will migrate into the top of the sapling, causing a thigmotropic response, and it will.

Tropism refers to the response a plant shows with respect to the external stimulus like gravity, touch, and sunlight. Thigmotropism is a type of the response of the stimulus shown by the plants with respect to touch stimuli.

In the given situation the sapling bends due to the effect of thigmotropism, the sapling being bend by the heavy weight of the other plant. Hence, cytokinin and ethylene two growth hormones of the plants will provide support to the plant and facilitate it to stand erect, prevent injury under such pressure condition.