Life Cycle of a Tree - Structure of a Tree

Information sheets on:
Roots
Trunks
Buds and Twigs
Worksheets and Answer sheets on Roots and Trunks

Learning Objectives: To learn the different parts of a tree: roots, branches, trunk and the function of each. To learn the internal structure of a trunk.

Introduction:

Trees come in many shapes and sizes. Some may grow slowly but live for centuries or even thousands of years. Others may grow more swiftly but die after only decades. The environment in which the tree sets down roots will greatly affect its health, size and survival.

As with any plant light, water, and air are crucial. Where there is bare earth it is likely that pioneer species like birch, blown in on the wind, will be the first to arrive and to flourish. Compare that to an established beech or oak forest with a thick canopy blocking out the light to the ground below. There, fewer plants will have an opportunity to flourish unless a gap opens in the foliage above.

Recent research is revealing how much trees can sense and communicate with other trees and species.

This resource is the fifth in a series of five about the life cycle of a tree. The others are:
Germination
Photosynthesis
Reproduction
The Wood Wide Web

They are available as a bundle.

The document is supplied as a pdf for ease of download and is in black and white for ease of reproduction.

Keywords: Tree, roots, branches, buds, twigs, xylem, phloem, cambium, bark