Trees are a lot like people. They need food and water, just like you do, to survive and grow. Each part of the tree serves a vital role in keeping the tree strong and alive.
Click the circles to learn about each part of a tree.
Leaves
From skinny pine needles to big palm tree leaves, all tree leaves serve the same purpose: to make food for the tree. Leaves use carbon dioxide from the air, water from the roots, and sunlight to make a type of sugar to feed the tree.
Bark
Bark serves the same purpose for trees as skin does for humans by protecting the tree from injury and disease. Some trees have extra thick bark to protect them from forest fires, while other trees have bad-tasting bark to discourage hungry insects.
Trunk
Just like you depend on your strong bones to give your body structure (without them you wouldn't be able to stand up straight), trees have a stiff woody trunk to hold them upright. The trunk also acts like a plumbing system to move water and food (much like your own blood and other body fluids) through the tree to help it grow.
Roots
A tree's roots are long underground branches that spread out to help anchor the tree in the soil (so that it does not topple over). Roots also draw up water and nutrients from the soil, just as you might drink soda using a straw.