Power point on life cycle of a tree

It is important that students understand the biology of trees to further be aware of trees’ role in the ecosystem throughout
How to
Measure &itsIDlife.
Week 1 Day 3
Seedlin
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Seed

Sapling

Snag
Mature
Oak

 Like all living things trees have a life cycle:
 Birth
 Growth
 Aging
 Death

 As trees grow, their physical form changes as does their role in the forest ecosystem

Which came first - the tree, or the seed?

 Seeds come in a variety of shapes, weights, colors, and sizes, depending on the species.
 Seeds develop from male and female parts of the trees producing fruits.
 Some seeds are in a protective nut like an acorn
 Others are in fleshy fruits, like the black cherry.
 The fruit of a pine is a cone and the seed is winged and

resembles a miniature helicopter when falling.

 Wind, water, animals, and people disperse seeds to the forest floor, open fields, yards and roadsides.
 Where conditions are favorable for germination, seeds will germinate and grow.

 The seedling grows and begins to develop woody characteristics.
 The stems harden, change color, and develop a thin protective bark.
 The stem may bend or develop branches that reach toward light.
 Leaves or needles that develop are adapted to shade, but lean or tilt toward light.  Most roots are in the upper soil to absorb water, nutrients and air.
 Seedlings compete for nutrients, water, sunlight, and space.
 Threats include fire, flood, drought, disease, insect attacks, and animals.
 At this stage the tree is most susceptible to being killed.

 When the tree is about 1-4 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet, it is considered a sapling.  standard height where tree’s diameter is

measured – diameter at breast height (DBH).

 As the tree starts to get taller the trunk thickens and branches develop.
 A sapling is the size of a tree growing in a nursery.  In this juvenile state, the tree is not mature enough to reproduce.
 Growing rapidly, the sapling has the same competition and