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Nov 14, 2023
What is a tree?
We know trees are made of wood and have a trunk, branches and
leaves, but how do we define what makes a tree… a tree?
How do we define a tree and what makes it different from other
forest plants and organisms? In this post, we look a little closer at
the common characteristics of a tree and some of the science
behind its shape, size and structure.
Definition of a tree
As you know, there are many different tree species. However, they
all share some key features that meet the criteria for what we
understand to be a tree.
Here's our simple definition:
A tree is a tall plant that can live a very long time. It has a single
stem or trunk and branches that support leaves. Beneath the
ground, a tree has a root system that acts as an anchor and stores
the water and nutrients the plant needs to grow.
One way we distinguish trees from other plants is their thick and
rigid ligneous tissues, which we know as wood. Of course, different
tree species have different types of wood.
Ultimately, while a basic definition of trees is helpful, as with all of
nature, we must dig a bit deeper to understand the sheer variety of
trees in the forest.
Let's explore other features that make trees a unique and vital part
of the natural environment, or start your journey as a tree owner by
planting your first tree today.
See our different trees
Tree-height
Some organisations prefer to define what makes a tree a tree by
measuring height. The idea is to keep things simple, considering
trees come in various forms and species with diverse and often
localised characteristics.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
definition says that for a plant species to be a tree, it should reach
5m tall if the growing conditions are good. That's in developing
countries – in developed countries, the height goes up to 7m.
The National Forest Inventory (IFN) takes a similar approach. It
defines a tree as a woody plant with a bare stem at its base and
can grow to a height greater than or equal to 5m when it reaches
maturity.
Of course, some trees grow to truly incredible heights. The
redwoods in California are the tallest trees on Earth and attract
visitors from all over the world. They grow to over 90m in height–the
tallest is Hyperion, reaching a massive 115m into the sky.
Our sustainable forestry approach
Anatomy of a tree
Trees are perennial plants, meaning they live for many years-
sometimes centuries or even several millennia for some species.
While each species' life cycle differs, a tree's basic
structure remains the same.
A tree is also a plant with aerial (above-ground) parts, including the
stem, leaves and flowers, and underground parts, its roots. Like any
complex living organism, a tree is born, breathes, grows and
reproduces before it dies if conditions and circumstances allow.
In botany, trees and other woody plants are characterised by their
secondary growth, which means their layers of tissue expand and
their trunk gets wider. A tree is a plant that grows outwards and
upwards. The extra width strengthens the tree to support its stem
and roots.
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Wood, leaves, fruit and flowers
Most people associate trees with wood, leaves, fruit and flowers –
the things we see outside. We generally have a good idea of what a
tree looks like, and we teach children to recognise trees from a
young age.
On the inside, wood is also called xylem, dead, thick cells that
transport water and nutrients from the soil to the leaves. Xylem is
connected to all other parts of the tree to form a continuous system
that reaches throughout the plant and allows it to live and grow.
While other plants produce wood, trees are defined by their large
size and single, load-bearing trunk. Deciduous trees have leaves or
needles that fall every winter or dry season, whereas foliage on
evergreen trees stays green and functional for multiple years.
Trees can grow flowers or fruit, which contain seeds that spread
and allow them to reproduce. Each species has unique features,
making trees crucial to rich, biodiverse habitats.
Plant your own tree today
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Join us in the forest
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See all articles
Our selection of trees
Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature
and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not
become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate
change?
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See in detail
Sorb tree
€19
Age: 0 to 2 years old
Ajoux Forest
Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
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Wild cherry
€19
Age: 65 to 70 years old
Montplonne Forest
Meuse, Grand Est, France
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See in detail
Sessile Oak
€19
Age: 65 to 70 years old
Montplonne Forest
Meuse, Grand Est, France
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Add to cart
Please note that this is promotional communication. See our notice
of information.
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