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