Tree Physiology Overview

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Questions and Answers

Match the following tree structures with their descriptions:

Crown = Primary location for photosynthesis Bole = Supports the weight of the crown Phloem = Transports materials from the crown to the roots Bark = The outer protective layer of the tree

Match the following tree-related terms with their definitions:

Woody tissue = Characteristic of tall plants Taxonomy = Classification based on reproductive structures Microenvironment = Conditions specific to the tree's upper canopy Cork cambium = Layer generating new bark

Match the following environmental factors with their importance to trees:

Precipitation = Essential for tree hydration and nutrient uptake Temperature = Influences growth rates and seasonal behaviors Sunlight = Crucial for photosynthesis and crown development Soil = Provides necessary nutrients for roots

Match the following types of trees with their characteristics:

Conifers = Trees without true flowers with petals Deciduous trees = Trees that shed leaves seasonally Evergreen trees = Trees that maintain foliage year-round Angiosperms = Trees that produce flowers and seeds Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tree growth challenges with their solutions:

Light-gathering advantage = Leaves positioned high above other plants Water and nutrient retrieval = Roots depend on crown-produced materials Hostile microenvironment = Upper canopy's sensitivity to conditions Support for the crown = Dead woody tissue in the trunk's structure Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms related to tree growth with their definitions:

Cambium = Tissue that produces new wood and bark Springwood = Layer of thinner-walled cells grown in spring Summerwood = Layer of thicker-walled cells grown in summer Increment borer = Tool used to extract a thin wood core for aging trees Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tree structures with their characteristics:

Trunk = Primarily dead wood with a narrow living band Branch = Grows from the cambium layer only on the outside Root = Anchors the tree and absorbs nutrients from the soil Meristem = Region of actively growing tissue in plants Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of trees based on their ring characteristics:

Oaks = Produce distinct growth rings that are easy to count Aspens = Have less distinct rings that are harder to count Red maple = Typically has less pronounced growth rings Conifers = Known for clear and distinguishable annual rings Signup and view all the answers

Match the following threats to trees with their descriptions:

Deer = Can destroy years of growth on small trees Insects = Often target nutrient-rich new tissues Diseases = Can attack both living and dead wood of trees Animals = Might browse on tree foliage or young stems Signup and view all the answers

Match the seasonal growth patterns of trees with their corresponding descriptions:

Spring growth = Characterized by thinner-walled cells Summer growth = Characterized by thicker-walled, larger cells Annual rings = Composed of both springwood and summerwood Tree aging = Can be performed by extracting a wood core Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Forest Environment - Tree Physiology

Tree Physiology Overview: Understanding tree physiology is essential for forest management, particularly for shade tolerance, vegetation succession, forest health, the hydrologic cycle, and nutrient cycles.
Importance of Tree Physiology: This topic is crucial for understanding forest management, connecting to Michigan science curriculum, and providing activities related to the subject.
Tree Necessities: Trees require sugars (produced through photosynthesis), water, nutrients (available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.), hormones, and beneficial fungi (mycorrhizae) for survival.
Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis captures energy from sunlight to produce sugars. The process uses carbon dioxide, water, and light to create glucose, with oxygen as a byproduct.
Other Important Terms: Various terms, including producer, consumer, glucose, carotenoid, abscission layer, and chlorophyll are used to describe tree physiology and function.
Tree Parts: Key tree components include leaves, twigs/branches, crown, flowers, fruits/seeds, trunk/bole, bark, and roots. Specific functions for each component are detailed in the notes.
Tree Growth: Trees grow in twig tips (meristems), root tips (meristems), and cambium. The cambium layer creates new bark and wood.
Tree Physiology Factoids: Trees consume, as well as produce, oxygen. Young forests capture more carbon from the air than old forests; old forests have a higher stored carbon content.
Autumn Color Change: Leaf color change is largely determined by night length and the production of certain compounds, like anthocyanins.
Tree Regeneration: Trees can regenerate from seeds, root suckers, stump sprouts, and vegetative layering.
Environmental Factors: Environmental factors include significant impacts created by rainfall, soil conditions and water availability, temperature and sunlight, and biotic factors like insects, diseases, and animals.
Winter Adaptations: Trees employ various strategies to survive winter, including leaf drop, physiological changes, water transport adaptations, and protection against the elements.

Relative Sunlight Requirements for Representative Tree Species

A table providing information of relative sunlight requirements for various tree species.

Other Environmental Factors

Rainfall/Precipitation: Rainfall varies geographically and affects tree species survival.
Soil Variability: Soil types and nutrient availability affect tree growth patterns.
Moisture: Water availability throughout the year can significantly influence tree health.
Biotic Factors: Interactions with other living organisms, such as insects, diseases, and animals.

Mycorrhizae

Mycorrhizae are beneficial fungi that interact with tree roots for enhanced nutrient and water absorption.
These fungi are critical to tree health and survival, and their presence/absence can influence species' distribution ranges.

Tree Regeneration Strategies

There are several methods for tree regeneration, including reliance of seeds, root suckers, and stump sprouts.

Tree Longevity

Tree lifespans vary considerably among different species, with some living for centuries.

Winter Adaptations of Trees

There are various physiological and structural adaptations that allow trees to survive the adverse winter conditions.
The four key strategies that trees use to withstand the harsh winter conditions are given in the notes.

Leaf Drop

Leaf drop in deciduous trees is a crucial strategy to minimize water loss during the winter.
The process involves changes in physiological processes, including chemical production and hormonal changes in leaf stalks.

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Description

Explore the essential aspects of tree physiology and its significance in forest management. This quiz covers topics like photosynthesis, tree necessities, and important ecological terms. Understanding these concepts is vital for promoting forest health and sustainability.