Tree

A tree is a perennial woody plant with a single main stem (trunk) supporting a broad canopy of branches. Trees are typically much taller than shrubs and have a trunk that persists year after year, with annual growth rings.

The trunk is covered by bark; branches extend from the trunk; leaves are the primary sites of photosynthesis. Trees grow in height and girth through primary growth at tips and secondary growth in the cambium, producing new xylem and phloem. Root systems anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients.

Trees range from deciduous species that shed leaves seasonally to evergreen species that retain leaves. They vary in size from small to giant, and lifespans can span decades to millennia, depending on species and conditions.

Trees play a central role in ecosystems, providing habitat and food for many organisms, sequestering carbon, stabilizing soils, and influencing water cycles. They interact with fungi, microbes, and animals in complex ways.

Most trees reproduce sexually by producing flowers and seeds, often enclosed in fruits. Conifers reproduce via cones and seeds. Pollination methods include wind and animal visitors; some species also disseminate seeds by gravity or other means.

Humans use trees for timber, paper, and other products; they are planted in urban areas for shade and beauty; fruit trees provide edible harvests. Deforestation and pests threaten many species, highlighting the importance of conservation and sustainable management.