Abstract
Architectural analysis method has allowed us to describe the main morphological features and the development sequence Juglans regia, Juglans nigra and two of their interspecific hybrids. Statistical analysis of morphological data of annual shoots allowed us to quantify the growth and branching pattern at different stages of tree development. The variability of main architectural and morphological features has been characterised according to tree ontogeny, to genotype and to environmental factors. The value of growth and branching parameters of annual shoots vary according to the differentiation stages of tree. The architectural interspecific variations concern the branch orientation and the structure of axes whereas the developmental pattern of axes categories is not modified. The environmental factors modulate the expression of the architectural sequence of development of the tree.