Trees can be put into three separate parts: the roots, leaves and woody structure between them. The function of the roots, is to carry raw materials, water and the mineral salt in the water. Tree leaves absorb pollution like carbon dioxide from the air and use sunlight to break it down, make a gas which combines with moisture from the tree roots and makes nutrients which are used by the tree. The tree trunk, limbs, branches and twigs support the position of leaves so that they can get air and light. However, they also act as a transportation system, and carry raw materials from the leaves to the roots and vice versa. Materials that are absorbed by the roots are pulled upward by the assistance of capillaries and osmosis induced by water evaporation. Losing water through leaves is called transpiration.



On any given summer day, a birch tree can experience a transpiration of between 700-900 gallons of fluid. This enormous flow of fluid causes sap from the roots to flow to the upper most twigs. When planting or transplanting, the chief concern will be to protect the roots of the tree. The bigger roots near the end of the tree act as an anchor, while the finer ones and the end are responsible for water absorption. The stem or tree trunk has three parts; bark, wood and pith. The pith is the middle portion and is surrounded by wood.

Located between the wood and bark is something called cambium. It is a thin ringed-layer that produces new bark and wood. When this ring is severed, the tree is killed and because cambium protects against bugs and diseases, anything that is driven into the tree can kill or wound it. Outside of man, the tree has other countless enemies. There are about 200,000 known bugs that can infest trees, additionally diseases like blight, rust and rot, storms and drought can also be detrimental to the health of a tree. However, birds work to help by eating caterpillars, beetles and various other bugs. When a tree naturally grows in a forest, the leaves fall down, decay and keep the soil healthy. The leaves also help by locking moisture into the soil.

When growing trees in your yard, however the tree must compete against the grass for water and nutrients, the leaves have to be raked up to prevent grass damage as well as damage to your landscaping design, so the gardener finds it necessary to supply an artificial nutrients to trees every few years. Feeding is not usually carried on lawns with bricks pavement. Feeding needs to be done when the ground is porous, like during the spring and fall. A hard but worthwhile method to try is to strip sod from around the tree in a circle about 2 or 3 feet wide, beyond the outer branches. Put manure down and spread it around and mix it into the soil. Then firm up the dirt, rake it levelly and move the sod back into place. A better method would perhaps be to drill holes around the same area about 12-18 inches in depth and spaced out about 15 inches in between. Then you can fill each hole with a commercially prepared fertilizer plus chemical, in a 10/6/4 formula of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash.

Because of rapid transpiration, predominantly more during hotter weather during the summer, lawn and trees need to be watered approximately every 10 days to prevent problems. Since the root system is deep, a light water will not suffice. The hose or a sprinkler can be used for an hour or so, however if the soil is packed tightly, you will need to loosen it with a pitch fork. For a bigger tree, drive a number of one to two inch holes that are 3-5 inches deep and 3 feet apart, below the outside branches. Using a canvas hose or covering your hose with a gunny sack and let the water run for awhile. Whenever you plant new trees or smaller trees, you can place a few pieces of tile in the hose and put the hose inside this, you can make sure the hose will reach the subsoil. Covering the drain-tile hole with large stones will prevent evaporation.