Knowra Tree Tree A tree is a perennial plant with a persistent woody stem, typically forming a trunk and crown. Its height and branching structure distinguish it from shrubs and other woody plants.
Root : A plant organ that anchors the plant and absorbs water and dissolved minerals from soil. Roots anchor trees and supply the water and minerals needed by their crowns.
Vascular cambium : A cylinder of meristematic tissue that produces secondary xylem inward and secondary phloem outward. Its repeated cell production thickens trunks and branches.
Timber : Wood harvested and prepared for construction, manufacturing, or other uses. Tree trunks supply timber used in buildings, furniture, and engineered products.
Shrub : A woody perennial plant usually shorter than a tree and branching from near the ground. Shrubs share woody growth with trees but typically lack a single dominant trunk.
Forest : An ecosystem dominated by trees and associated organisms, soils, and environmental processes. Individual trees form forests whose interactions create larger ecological systems.
Trunk : The main upright woody stem of a tree, supporting its crown and transporting materials. The trunk is the tree’s defining central support and transport pathway.
Secondary growth : An increase in plant girth produced mainly by lateral meristems in woody plants. Secondary growth turns young stems into increasingly thick trunks and branches.
Fruit tree : A cultivated tree grown chiefly to produce edible fruit. Fruit trees provide food and underpin many orchard systems.
Palm : A member of the monocot family Arecaceae, often with a tall, unbranched stem and crown of leaves. Palms resemble trees in form but do not produce ordinary secondary wood.
Habitat tree : A tree containing features such as cavities, dead limbs, or loose bark used by wildlife. Tree structure creates nesting, feeding, and shelter sites for many species.
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