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Tree Biology

• Trees are the longest living organisms on earth.
• Trees and other plants make their food through a process called photosynthesis.
• The inside of a tree is made of phloem, cambium, and xylem.
• The xylem of a tree carries water from the roots to the leaves.

	News
	National Register of Big Trees Big trees are symbols of all the good work trees do for the quality of the environment-and our quality of life. MORE >> Green Parking II: Putting Parking Lots to Work Green parking lots are defined as those that are designed to do environmental work. Parking lots should be designed to reduce the use of energy, improve environmental quality and to ensure more healthy conditions for people. Further, parking lots should be planned and designed to reflect regional landscape types. Plant materials and other materials of construction must be used in ways that will support this objective. MORE >> Hot Topics "Hot Topic" press releases fro the USDA newsroom ranging from current pest alerts for specific regions of the United States to new trends in disease prevention and tree and plant care. MORE >> Don't Move Firewood! Camping Season is fast approaching. Please remember to not transport firewood. Tree-killing insects and diseases can lurk in firewood. These insects and diseases can't move far on their own, but when people move firewood they can jump hundreds of miles. New infestations destroy our forests, property values, and cost huge sums of money to control. MORE >> National Tree Benefits Calculator Make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis. For more detailed information on urban and community forest assessments, visit the i-Tree website. MORE >>

"If a tree is treated as a living organism, with an understanding of its vital functions, it will be a constant source of profit and pleasure to men." - N.T. Mirov

	Resources
	Introduction to Arboriculture: Tree Biology DVD Available through the ISA Web store The Top 10 Myths of Tree Care Should you prune your trees in the Spring? How deep must fertilizer be applied to reach the roots of your trees? Which species of trees should be topped to keep them from falling on your house? MORE >>