How do they get their nutrients?
The Eastern white pine tree is autotrophic, which means it
requires energy from the sun to produce food through the
process of photosynthesis:
carbon dioxide + water + sunlight ----> glucose (sugar) +
oxygen
Photosynthesis occurs in the mesophyll cells in the leaves
(needles) which contain the chloroplasts. The stomata of the
leaves are holes that allow for gas exchange. The epidermal
layers primarily serve as protection of the life.
The tree transports the nutrients via the vascular tissues
within the tree. The water from the roots travel up the tree in
the xylem. The sugars produced from photosynthesis travel down
from the leaves to the rest of the tree in the phloem.
Pinus strobus contains both primary and secondary xylem
and phloem and a vascular cambium. These complex tissues are made up of several different
cell types. The vascular tissues also can help you to age the
tree by counting the number of rings that are observed inside
the trunk.
Previous Home
Next