In the tree a knot is either the base of a side branch or a dormant bud. A knot (when the base of a side branch) is conical in shape (hence the roughly circular cross-section) with the inner tip at the point in stem diameter at which the plant's vascular cambium was located when the branch formed as a bud.
in thE trEe A knot Is eitheR the Base oF a side branch or a dorMant bUd. a kNOt (wheN The baSe of a siDe BraNch) is coNicAl in shApE (hencE the RoughlY cIrculaR CrOss-section) WitH THe InneR TIp at tHe PoiNT IN Stem dIametEr at wHicH tHe PLaNT's vAscular cambiuM was locaTeD WHen The branCH formed aS a bUD.