3 Parts of a Tree

In case you ever wondered - or were challenged - to really consider what constitutes a tree, Paul Curran has prepared this guide:

Trees can be broken down into three main parts: the roots, the leaves and the woody structure between them.

The roots' function is to bring raw materials - water and mineral salt dissolved in water - to the tree.

The leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use the sun's light energy to combine this gas with the moisture from the roots, thus making the simple sugars that are the basic nutrients of the tree.

The trunk, limbs, branches and twigs hold the leaves in position to receive the life-giving sunlight and air; they also act as transportation, carrying raw materials between roots and leaves.

The materials absorbed by the roots are pulled up by capillary attraction and the osmotic action induced by evaporation of water from the leaves.

Read on for more about the parts of a tree...