PtABI3 is the poplar homolog of the Arabidopsis ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE 3 gene. The cover shows a radial section through an apical bud of a PtABI3-overexpressing poplar. Growing apices of poplar develop into dormant buds upon perception of a short-day signal in late summer. Buds enable perennial plants to survive the winter season and to resume growth in spring. Buds contain arrested leaf primordia encased by bud scales. PtABI3-overexpressing poplars, however, develop inappropriate buds with large embryonic leaves and small stipules and miss bud scales. On page 1885, Rohde et al. show that poplar PtABI3 is required for the growth rate and differentiation of the organs inside the forming bud.