The nucleation and the growth of the {101¯2} ⟨101¯1¯⟩ type twins in zinc single crystals have been investigated by applying concentrated loads in the [0001¯] direction and on the (0001) surface of such crystals with point indenters as a mechanical means of stress concentration. Assuming the crystals to be a semi‐infinite anisotropic elastic medium, the resolved shear stress for the twins to grow is calculated to be 130±50 g/mm2.