#9 - Woodland Riddle - October 2022

Riddle #9 - Our journey through the layers and their functions in a tree trunk culminates with the innermost components. We’ll go easy on this one - just name them!

Answer: Growth in the diameter of plants is due to the cell divisions in the cambium, an extremely thin cylinder of meristematic tissue found just under the bark. New cells are formed on both sides of the cambium each year. Those to the inside make up the xylem, which conducts water and nutrients; and those to the outside make up the phloem, which transports sugars, amino acids, vitamins, hormones, and stored food. In the xylem, the fibers provide strength and the vessels allow water and nutrient flow to the leaves.

More explanation about our three riddles around the components of tree trunks can be found at:

• Tree Trunk from Iowa State University Extension at https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/tree_biology/101.html
• Minnesota DNR's Minnesota Forest Treasures: www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/education/foresttreasures/partsofatree.html