TREE BIOLOGY

Tree Anatomy

All Living organisms share a basic organisational theme, based upon calls tissues and organs. Cells being the basic building blocks of structures.

New cells arise from the Division of existing cells. Division occurs in specialised structures called meristems. Following devision cells undergo differentiation, changing their structure into a variety of specific functions. Cells with similar structures and function are arranged into tissues such as bark or wood. Tissues are then organised into one of five different organs: leaves, stems, flowers, roots and fruits.

Two lateral meristems

1. Cambium-

Thin continues section of dividing cells that produce the cells that will become the vascular system producing two types of tissues:

Xylem (to the inside) is the wood of the tree, made of dead and living cells.

Functions:

Conducting water and minerals, storage reserves (both only in the sapwood) and Mechanical support (in older cells further in called heartwood are non functional)

Phloem (to the outside)

Functions:

Movement of sugars from leaves to other parts of the plant.

In addition, there are ray cells that cross through both Xylem and phloem