Parts of a Tree and Their Functions - Science Facts (2024)

Trees are tall and big land plants of the earth that usually survive for many years. They are woody plants that attain a height of about 4.5 meters (15 feet) after reaching full maturity and are found all over the world in high numbers.

All trees have some basic environmental value and provide us with many benefits, such as producing oxygen, purifying the atmosphere, conserving water, preventing soil erosion, giving habitat to a wide variety of insects, birds, and animals. In short, trees help to maintain the balance of nature.

What are the Different Parts of a Tree

A mature tree has three basic parts: 1) roots, 2) crown, and 3) trunk or bole. Although the structure of these parts may vary based on the altitude and geographical position of the tree, each of them performs distinct functions.

1) Roots

Roots are the underground part of a tree. The primary root or taproots grow horizontally downwards, with lateral roots arising from the taproot. Each root is surrounded by many, tiny root hairs that increase their area of absorption.

Functions

  • Anchoring the tree to the soil
  • Absorbing water and minerals from the soil
  • Storing of reserve food
  • Preventing soil erosion

2) Crown

They are the topmost portion of a tree that may vary widely based on their shapes and sizes. The crown is made up of the following parts:

i) Leaves: Usually the green part of a plant that remains attached to the crown. Leaves are also known as the factories of a tree. A collection of green leaves is called foliage.

ii) Branches: The first thick branches of a tree arising from the central wooden axis are called boughs while the smallest terminal branches of a tree are known as twigs.

iii) Flowers: The most colorful and attractive part of the plant that remains attached to the terminal branches. It later develops into a fruit.

iv) Fruit: The edible part of the plant that develops from the flowers. It contains the seed that gives rise to a new plant.

Functions

  • Leaves produce food for the plant
  • Leaves help to filter dust and other particles present in the air, thus keep the air clean
  • Leaves keep the plant cool through the loss of water by evaporation
  • Twigs help to give rise to new plants
  • Boughs and branches store food materials in the form of sugar that are required by the plant for their growth and metabolism
  • Boughs and branches provide strength and support to the plant

3) Trunk or Bole

The trunk is the central wooden axis of the crown that is typically brownish. They contain a network of small tubes that runs between the roots and the leaves, thus acting as the plumbing system in the plant. A typical tree trunk shows six parts:

i) Outer bark: The outermost layer of the trunk, branches, and twigs of the tree. The bark of some plants has a characteristic odor and scent.

ii) Cambium: The thin layer of living tissues consisting of growing cells that are present just inside the bark. Every season they add a new layer to its trunk, thus producing a visible annual growth ring in most trees.

iii) Sapwood or xylem: The youngest layers of wood that are made up of a network of living cells. Over the years, the inner layers of sapwood die.

iv) Heartwood: The older and dead xylem cells found close to the center of the trunk and thus are usually darker than xylem. They are filled with stored sugar, oils, and dyes.

v) Pith: The tiny dark spot present at the center of the tree trunk that is highly protected from damage by wind, insects, and animals.

vi) Inner bark or phloem: The pipeline located between the outer bark and the cambium of the tree trunk.

Functions

  • Bark protects the delicate inside wood of the tree
  • Cambium helps in making new cells thus allowing the tree to grow in diameter
  • Outer bark and sapwood helps in supporting the crown and providing the tree its shape
  • Pith and sapwood conducts water and minerals from the roots to the leaves
  • Inner bark transports the foods prepared by the leaves to all parts of a plant
  • Outer bark and cambium provides mechanical strength to the plant

Article was last reviewed on Friday, July 3, 2020

Parts of a Tree and Their Functions - Science Facts (2024)

FAQs

Parts of a Tree and Their Functions - Science Facts? ›

A tree has three main parts: the crown, trunk and roots. The trunk is made up of five different layers, including bark, cambium, heartwood, phloem, and xylem.

What are the parts of a tree and their functions? ›

Parts of a tree
  • Crown (Canopy) The crown is the branches and leaves of the tree. It has the important job of making food for the tree. ...
  • Roots. Roots hold the tree in the ground and absorb water and minerals the tree needs to make food. ...
  • Trunk. The trunk and its branches give a tree its shape.

What are some science facts about trees? ›

Tree time: 20 facts about trees you might not know
  • Trees absorb billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. ...
  • It takes around 450 mature trees to offset the annual emissions of one person. ...
  • Ancient woodland stores huge amounts of carbon. ...
  • There are a lot of trees on the planet … ...
  • 5. … ...
  • Planting new trees is only part of the solution.

What are the 7 parts of a tree diagram? ›

A tree has three main parts: the crown, trunk and roots. The trunk is made up of five different layers, including bark, cambium, heartwood, phloem, and xylem.

What is the main function of trees? ›

A tree has the ability to provide an essential of life for all living things on our planet – oxygen, and the power to remove harmful gases like carbon dioxide making the air we breathe healthier. Here is how it works: To keep it simple a tree is comprised of its leaves, stems, trunk and its roots.

What is the most important part of a tree? ›

Roots are undeniably the most important component of the tree. Any large tree that suddenly has its roots dug up will die within weeks. Naturally, roots are designed to be underground as they are sensitive and can be affected by outside extremities.

What is the science of trees called? ›

The scientific study of trees is called dendrology. Trees and plants are identified by many characteristics including bark, flowers, fruits and seeds, buds, and twig traits. One of the easiest ways to identify a tree is by examining its leaves.

What is the function of leaves on a tree? ›

Leaves are the main (but not only) organ responsible for turning sunlight into food. The green pigment found in most leaves absorbs sunlight, which is one of the important ingredients in the food-making process. This process is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll captures the energy of sunlight.

What is the tree part of a tree called? ›

Trunk. The trunk of the tree, also sometimes called the main stem, makes up the majority of the tree at 60%. A tree's trunk is one of its primary organs, helping it reach the heights it needs to find sunlight.

What is a parts tree? ›

The Parts Tree is an area where AlarmCAD for AutoCAD parts and patterns are stored for future use.

What are the parts of a tree and their function? ›

Parts of a Tree

Leaves – broadleaf or needles; primary location for photosynthesis and production of hormones and other chemicals. Twigs and Branches – support structures for leaves, flowers and fruits. Crown – the upper part of the tree composed of leaves, twigs, branches, flowers and fruit.

What is the strongest part of the tree? ›

Heartwood: The heartwood is dead sapwood in the center of the trunk. It is the hardest wood of the tree giving it support and strength.

What are the parts of a whole tree? ›

Anatomy of a Tree
  • Leaves. Leaves carry out photosynthesis, making food for the tree and releasing oxygen into the air. ...
  • Branches and Twigs. Branches and twigs grow out of the tree trunk and serve as support structures for leaves, flowers and fruit. ...
  • Trunk. The trunk of a tree is made up of five different layers. ...
  • Roots.

What are the functions of tree branches? ›

Branches- Grow from the trunk of the tree and help the transport water, sugar and nutrients to the leaves and canopy (crown) of the tree. They also help support the leaves that make up the canopy (crown). Leaves-Grow from the stem which are attached to the branches to make up the canopy (crown) of the tree.

What is the basic structure of a tree? ›

A typical tree is composed of three main components: the trunk, the roots, and the crown. The trunk, or stem, is the main organ of the plant. It provides the tree with structural support, acting as a conduit for water and nutrients between the roots and crown. A tree may have a single trunk or multiple trunks.

What are the parts of a plant and their function? ›

  • leaf. ...
  • Roots absorb minerals. ...
  • Plants have different parts to them, just like you. ...
  • The stem transports water around the plant. ...
  • Leaves make food for the plant from carbon dioxide in the air and sunlight.
  • Stems help support the plant and keep it upright. ...
  • Petals attract insects to the plant.

What is the difference between trunk and stem and branch? ›

Branches are the thicker arms that grow directly from the trunk. Stems and twigs are the smaller fingers that grow from the branches, and the leaves grow from the stems and twigs. Depending on the tree, some branches may grow taller than the branches of other nearby trees to dominate over them.

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