I've always been fascinated with trees and increasingly more so since I've moved up north. Because the majority of trees lose their leaves you're really able to see the intricacy of the branches: they grow every which way.
What I am even more fascinated with however is something you usually can't see, something below the surface.
Roots.
Roots not only absorb and transport essential nutrients for the tree to grow... they intentionally grow in the direction where the most needed soil, nutrients, and water are. They can grow in any direction to reach these elements. Roots also act as an anchor for the tree. I cannot completely grasp this concept. Trees are such strong structures and to think that something as simple and delicate as roots can keep them up is crazy! This however does not acknowledge the fact that the roots have been underground for much longer, working silently and endlessly, preparing to be an anchor for the tree. Roots don't quite get the credit they deserve. When we do see a great tree that is big and intricate, that means that the roots below are even greater and more complex.
jennica! trees have been something i have found myself being fascinated over as well. I was driving through virginia and there are trees that cover the mountains and i was thinking about how many they were and was wondering..."who planted all these trees?, who made these trees grow?" i could not think that humans would plants the millions of trees that occupied a simple mountainside. Branches dont need to be told to grow up toward the sun and roots dont need encouragement to go find nutrients...they just do. And the spred their seeds to keep their species alive. i dont know...maybe im crazy...ha
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