# even if it only smells water

This describes the dead stump as if it could smell water to represent water being near it. Alternate translation: "even if only a little water is near it" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification]])

# it will bud

"it will start growing"

# send out branches like a plant

The tree sending out branches represents branches growing on the tree. Alternate translation: "branches will start growing on it like a plant" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification]])