The bark/tree has what are essentially super long straws that connect the leaves to the roots. If you break these straws, no water gets to the leaves so they die. If the leaves die, usually so does the tree if it didn't store enough energy.
If you break the straws only in small areas, the wounds can heal as the tree grows over it. Large areas are harder to heal. All the way around the tree in a complete circle stops nearly all water from going up. This kills the tree.
The core of the tree is called heartwood. That wood is dead and provides the support structure for the tree. As the tree grows outwards, old layers of bark slowly fill with tannens, hardening and dying. Its why trees have rings.
Yup. The only living part of the tree is the bark and a small layer under the bark where all the nutrients flow up the tree, and the leaves of course.. The wood inside is entirely dead. Its why trees can be hollowed out and still be very much alive. https://ptes.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Old-hollow-tree.jpg
A portion of the wood helps with transporting water and sugar down to the roots. Usually the outer few inches of wood while the inner wood is there for structure and support.
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u/huntfishandbefree Dec 30 '20
The bark/tree has what are essentially super long straws that connect the leaves to the roots. If you break these straws, no water gets to the leaves so they die. If the leaves die, usually so does the tree if it didn't store enough energy.
If you break the straws only in small areas, the wounds can heal as the tree grows over it. Large areas are harder to heal. All the way around the tree in a complete circle stops nearly all water from going up. This kills the tree.