Introduction to Trees
intro | seed | root | trunk | bark | branch | leaf
A tree and each of its parts busily work from the tiniest rootlet buried deep underground to the topmost twig of the highest branch. A tree lives and breathes steadily and constantly. It uses the light from the sun to convert minerals and water from the soil, and the carbon dioxide it receives from the air to sustain that life.
A tree has three main parts: root, trunk and crown. The root is the part that grows in the ground; the trunk grows above ground and the crown grows out of the trunk and is made up of limbs, twigs, leaves, buds, flowers and fruit.
Like other living things, a tree may get diseased or have its limbs cut or broken. While the tree can often heal itself over time, it may sometimes be prudent to consult a professional on how to save the life of the tree.
A healthy tree can be very long-lived, certainly much more so than its human counterpart. Indeed it will remain on a property, becoming a source of enjoyment for many generations to come.
