Parts of a Tree

Each part of a tree: the roots, leaves, branches and fruit all perform very special functions to help the tree to survive.

Parts of a Tree

Do you know which way a tree grows? If you said "up", you're right. If you said "down", you're right. If you said "sideways", you're right. Different parts of a tree grow in different directions.

Roots

Roots grow primarily down and sideways. Their job is to hold the tree firmly in the ground and to take in water and other nutrientsNutrients

All of the substances that promote the healthy metabolism of an organism. Main plant nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sulfur and magnesium. that the tree will need to live and grow. Some trees have a big, fat root in the middle that grows down; it is called a "tap root". Some trees do not have a tap root. The roots that take in water and other nutrients grow somewhat down, but mostly sideways, underground from the base of the tree. These roots are covered with tiny hairs called "root hairs".

Leaves

A leaf's job is to make food for the tree. Leaves have clorophyllChlorophyll

A photosynthetic pigment found in plants that produces energy when it is ionized by sunlight. Chlorophyll is made up carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and magnesium. inside them which make them green and help them do this job. To make food, leaves also need water from the soil, carbon dioxideCarbon Dioxide (CO₂)

A gas made up of carbon and oxygen, forming 0.03% of the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide is a by-product of respiration and is absorbed by plants. from the air and sunlight. Leaves grow in whichever direction will give them the right amount of sunlight. Leaves also help the plant to hold onto the correct amount of water.

Stems, Trunks and Branches

The stem of a young tree plant will become its trunk and branches. The trunk and branches hold up the leaves, flowers and fruit of flowering trees. They grow primarily up and out. On the outside of the trunk is the bark. It protects the tree. Inside the trunk and branches are two groups of pipes. One group of pipes carries water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. The other group of pipes carries the food made by the leaves to the other parts of the tree.

Flower, Fruits and Nuts

A healthy tree will live for many years, but eventually it will die. To make sure that there are always more trees, each tree produces many seeds in the hopes that some of them will land in a good growing place and make new trees. In flowering trees, the job of flowers, fruits and nuts is to make, protect and spread the seeds.

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Fruit trees are a better choice than "annual" plants in California. Their deeper roots make it easier for them to survive through California's frequent droughts.  HomeAll about Fruit Trees

Here you can learn about fruit trees and why planting them in your neighborhood is such a good idea.  NextHug a Tree

The nicer you are to trees, the nicer they will be to you!