How Trees Grow

Outer Bark Sometimes referred to as the "cork." Created by the cork cambium. No longer living. Serves mainly as a defensive barrier.

Phloem Vascular tissue that transports sugars and other compounds through the plant. Sometimes referred to as inner bark. Produced by the vascular cambium on its outside edge.

Vascular Cambium Lateral meristem which produces xylem to its inside and phloem to its outside.

Xylem Tissue which conducts water and mineral nutrients which are dissolved in it up from roots to stems and leaves. The wood of a tree, it serves to support the plant and keep it upright. It also stores a significant amount of energy as starches (and sometimes fats as oils). Xylem is created by the cambium on its inside edge.