Glossary term
What is Xylem and phloem?
Short answer
Xylem and phloem are the two tissue systems that move water up and sugars through a tree.
Xylem and phloem, explained for tree service owners
Xylem and phloem are the tree's pipes. Xylem carries water and minerals from the roots up to the leaves. Phloem carries the sugars made in the leaves down to the rest of the tree. Both sit close to the bark, which is one reason damage to the outer trunk is so serious. A band of bark removed all the way around a trunk, called girdling, cuts off the phloem and can kill the tree over time. For a tree service owner, this simple idea helps explain why you cannot just peel back bark, why some pest damage is deadly, and why careful cuts matter. Use plain words like pipes when you talk to a homeowner.
Related terms
- Canker
A canker is a sunken, dead or swollen patch on bark, branch or trunk, often caused by a fungus or bacteria.
- Defoliation
Defoliation is the loss of leaves from a tree outside the normal fall drop, often caused by insects, disease or weather.
- Dieback
Dieback is the slow death of twigs and branches starting at the tips and moving back toward the trunk.
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