GROWING TREES 
65 
The Tree.—Since the trees are the units making up 
the woodlot, it is well to have an understanding of the 
nature of trees. A tree is a woody plant growing up 
from the ground, usually with a single stem. The three 
parts of a tree are the stump, trunk, and top. 
The Stump of a tree is the base to which the roots 
are attached. It has been suggested that there is as much 
of the tree below the ground as there is above. A tree, 
two feet in diameter, has a root system, that if all the 
Fig, 42.—Parts of a tree. 
A. Stump. B. Trunk. C. Top. 
roots were placed in a continuous line, they would extend 
several miles. These not only anchor the tree, preventing 
its blowing over during storms, but they collect food 
from a large amount of soil. 
The Trunk of a tree is the stem or portion from the 
roots and stump to the first branches. The length of the 
trunk varies greatly with the kinds of trees and the con¬ 
ditions under which the tree has grown. Where the trees 
are closely grouped, they grow tall and the first branches 
are high up. Out in the open places the trees spread with 
