Drvo

Drvo is the term used in Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian to refer to a tree. In everyday use the word denotes a living tree, but in forestry and commerce it is also used to mean wood or timber obtained from trees. The word is part of a broader set of Slavic terms for tree and material derived from trees, with cognates in neighboring languages.

A tree is a woody perennial plant characterized by a single main trunk that supports a crown of branches. Most trees grow for many years and undergo secondary growth that thickens the trunk and branches through the activity of vascular cambium. This growth creates annual rings that can reveal a tree’s age and growth conditions. Trees vary widely in height, form, leaf type, and habitat, ranging from small, shrubby forms to towering specimens adapted to forests, urban areas, and open landscapes. They rely on a root system to absorb water and nutrients and to anchor the plant.

Ecologically, trees are foundational components of many ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity, soil stability, and climate regulation. Through photosynthesis, they capture carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and they provide habitat and food for a wide range of organisms. Trees also contribute to human economies and cultures, supplying timber for construction and furniture, fiber for paper, and various non-wood products such as fruits, nuts, resin, and latex.

In cultural contexts, trees often symbolize life, growth, and resilience. The term drvo thus encompasses both the living organism and, in practical usage, the material derived from it, reflecting the deep connections between nature, language, and human activity.