Types of trees

forests

We know that trees are of vital importance to the life of the planet. Without trees we could not survive since there would not be enough biodiversity. Since we know the importance of the different types of trees that exist, we must be responsible so that the natural environment can continue to exercise its function. These types of trees formed large forests that are the refuge of a large number of animals, protecting the land against erosion and oxygenate the atmosphere.

In this article we are going to tell you what are the different characteristics of the types of trees that exist and what is the importance of each one of them.

Characteristics of the types of trees

types of trees

Let's see what are the main characteristics that most types of trees have in common. One of the main characteristics to take into account when distinguishing trees from other types of plants is that their lignified or woody trunks, thinner and more tender than green plants, are harder and thicker.

Many shrubs also have trunks with these characteristics, in many cases it is difficult to distinguish between large shrubs and small trees. In these cases, observing the branches of the plants can help us a lot. If these really came from the ground, we could be in front of the bushes. On the other hand, if the branch begins to appear at a certain height above the ground, it is likely a tree because its trunk is woody.

Trees are plants of various sizes, whose height can be from a few meters to more than 100 meters of true giants. The rest of the characteristics of the trees can be seen in their different parts. They all share the main parts of a tree, including the roots, crown, trunk, branches, and leaves.

The roots are responsible for absorbing water and nutrients. The trunks and branches are in charge of providing structure and support to the rest of the soil above, and of transporting substances through them, the leaves carry out photosynthesis, producing thus nourishment from the sun and air and the elements absorbed by the roots. On the other hand, the canopy is the entire upper part of the leaves and branches of the tree and its vegetal dome. Shades the rest of the tree and provides better breathability.

Parts of a tree

types of nature trees

It can be said that the root looks a bit like the root of a tree. However, rooting has more functions than simply fixing the tree to the ground. For example, they are responsible for absorbing the water necessary for the life of the trees. The roots can be many meters deep and wide. In some cases, they can spread out of the ground.

Trees also have many roots: the size of the root system is usually as large as the part of the tree above the ground. This is necessary because the root helps to support the tree. In addition to preventing trees from falling, the main function of the roots is to collect water and nutrients from the soil and store them when there is not as much available.

The canopy consists of leaves and branches at the top of the tree. The canopy shades the roots, collects energy from the sun (photosynthesis) and allows the tree to remove excess water to keep it cool (sweat, similar to the sweat of animals). The canopy comes in many shapes and sizes.

The bark is the structure that supports the crown of the tree. The bark is responsible for protecting the sap that circulates through it. In addition, with the help of the trunk, the age of a tree can be known, which depends on the number of annual rings inside.

The buds originate at the end of the trunk, which is where the leaves of the tree are. The branches and leaves form the so-called canopy. They exist in the branches. New branches, flowers, fruits, or leaves can grow from the shoots.

Types of trees according to their leaves

types of trees

Fallen Leaf

Deciduous trees are those trees that lose their leaves during the colder months, usually during the fall. This is a mechanism that preserves nutrients by not keeping the leaves that can be damaged by the cold, and because there is less sunlight during the season, anyway, it cannot successfully perform its photosynthesis function.

They are typical of a typical cold and dry climate in winter, tend to reach great heights and have a long useful life.

Evergreen

Unlike deciduous trees, evergreens keep their leaves throughout the season and gradually renew and change throughout the year. Conifers are the main group of evergreens. Although they are not the only ones, they are recognized as the tallest and longest-lived tree species, such as the bristlecone pine that can live for more than 5.000 years and coastal redwoods that are more than 100 years old. In general, they are trees very resistant to cold or aggressive climates, such as alpine trees, in the case of conifers, their cone-shaped growth structure is very characteristic.

Types of fruit and ornamental trees

Many trees flourish and bear fruit, but only the fruits that humans eat as fruits are what we call fruit trees. Since it is a very unscientific definition, we can find differences in some aspects, for example, in the case of trees that produce so-called nuts they are considered fruit trees in the kitchen, and the fruit industry separates them from it.

Ornamental trees are those trees that have certain characteristics that make them aesthetically striking or pleasing to the eye. They are species of great value that decorate gardens or green spaces, and their diversity is only as good as the tastes of gardening enthusiasts. They are chosen for their size and shape, color, or ability to withstand different climates and environments. Obviously, whether a tree is considered ornamental or if it is not excluded from the previous classification.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the types of trees and their characteristics.


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