Roots, Trunk, and Branches in the Fall

What Do Roots Do?

Roots have many functions. You already know that roots absorb water from the soil. At the same time, they absorb mineral salts that the tree uses to grow tissues.

Roots have another very important function: they serve to anchor the tree in the soil so that the first windstorm doesn't blow it over!

Roots, which are made of wood, like the trunk and branches, transport the water and mineral salts to the tree's trunk and cells.

Branches

A tree grows both in height and girth each year. The branches stretch skyward to get as much light as possible.

The trunk and branches grow to support an increasing number of leaves and branches.

Wood Cells

In late summer and early fall, trees stop producing wood cells. They would rather devote their energy to storing reserves and producing buds.

Bark

Bark's main purpose is to protect the tree. It's a little bit like our skin. The bark protects the tree against disease, insects, fire, drought, injury, and animals.