| Near at hand, we all can see beautiful | | | | six basic groups according to the |
| trees. Every time I walk the city parks, | | | | features they have in common. These are: |
| or visit the country side, I gaze the | | | | broadleaf trees, needleleaf trees, palm |
| trees that I cross bringing back | | | | and pandanus and lily trees, cycad |
| memories of happy tree climbing, tent | | | | trees, tree ferns, and ginkgo trees. All |
| camping in the woods, long walks with my | | | | of the above groups have provided us |
| folks, hiking with friends or just | | | | with food, fibers, medicines, and many |
| relaxing underneath a tree's branches | | | | other substances valuable in every day |
| enjoying the breeze. Although my yard | | | | life. If you are asked what product you |
| was never big enough, I managed to as a | | | | can receive from trees, wood is the one |
| kid to convince my parents to plant | | | | that quickest comes to mind. Since |
| trees inside its perimeter and whenever | | | | ancient times, people have used wood to |
| I touch their trunk I get excited | | | | make tools and construct buildings as |
| knowing that they would not have been | | | | well as for forms of art and expression. |
| there if I did not insist to plant them. | | | | Most importantly, wood has also been |
| Trees are large, perennial, woody | | | | used as a source of fuel. |
| plants, which continue growing until | | | | Furthermore, trees in the world's |
| they die. They grow just about | | | | forests or plantations provide food and |
| everywhere on Earth, from extreme cold | | | | shelter for humans and wildlife. Trees |
| regions near the Arctic and the | | | | provide us with fruits, nuts, roots and |
| Antarctic to hot tropical regions around | | | | other tree parts which we use to feed |
| the equator and even in deserts and the | | | | ourselves. Tropical fruit trees are |
| most diverse populations of trees are | | | | among the most popular and include |
| found in the tropical rain forests. In | | | | avocados, grapefruits, mangoes, and |
| comparison to other plant forms, trees | | | | oranges. Cooler, temperate regions have |
| are considered long-lived. As perennial | | | | fewer kinds of fruit trees, but produce |
| plants, they are classified as having a | | | | vast amounts of apples, cherries, and |
| distinct, self-supporting main stem, or | | | | peaches. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, and |
| trunk, containing a woody tissue that | | | | macadamia nuts are a few easily |
| produces secondary limbs and branches. | | | | recognized species of nut producing |
| Their height and single main stem | | | | trees. The most important nut tree of |
| differentiate them from shrubs, which | | | | warm regions is the coconut palm, which |
| are usually shorter and have many stems. | | | | produces coconuts. Trees also supply |
| With more than 20,000 types of trees | | | | chocolate, coffee, maple syrup, and such |
| growing around the world, a few species | | | | spices as cinnamon. |
| can grow really tall, like redwoods and | | | | Finally, trees also have a role in |
| eucalyptus that reach heights of more | | | | conservation. Along lakes and rivers |
| than 110 m. (360 ft.). Trees live | | | | tree roots conserve soil, holding top |
| anywhere from a few, to thousands of | | | | soil in place, and water, holding water |
| years, like the olive tree or a | | | | in the ground. Where they grow in open |
| bristlecone pine growing in California's | | | | country, they act as windbreaks and keep |
| White Mountains that has been dated as | | | | the wind from blowing away topsoil, |
| at least 4700 years old. | | | | therefore aiding in stopping |
| Trees do come in a wide variety of | | | | desertification. |
| shapes and sizes and can be divided into | | | | |