There are three main types of vegetation on our planet : trees, shrubs, and grassy species. All of them have their own characteristics. Grasses are easy to distinguish from bushes and trees. But not all can distinguish the last two types. Therefore, it is necessary to establish how the tree differs from the bush? To do this, for a start it would be nice to formulate the main key characteristics of these plants.
What is characteristic of trees?
Those who do not know how to distinguish a tree from a bush would be well acquainted with the features of these species. Not everything is so complicated here. Perennials are called trees , a distinctive feature of which is a lignified trunk. It is worth noting that conifers and palm trees have a main trunk. It plays the role of the axis of the plant and forms a crown. And deciduous trees have a branched trunk. The total number of varieties from this classification on the planet is divided into two main groups. The first are conifers. They are also called primitive. The second are broad-leaved types that appeared much later than conifers.
On the other hand, according to the way the trees renew their foliage, they are also divided into species. These are deciduous plants that drop their cover in the fall. And they update it in the spring. Evergreen trees replace leaves all year round, consistently and in small quantities. These traits must be known. They will help to understand how a tree differs from a bush.
Tree structure
Unlike shrubs, the tree has three distinct parts: the root system, the main trunk and the crown. Let's consider them in more detail.
The root system is hidden underground (99%). She, like an anchor, holds the plant in the soil, even on inclined surfaces. That is why often, in order to strengthen the slopes of moats or cliffs, they are planted with trees. Using the roots, plants absorb the necessary nutrients and water from the soil. There are trees that can adapt to extreme conditions and grow the so-called aerial roots. They absorb water from the air and even participate in photosynthesis.
The trunk is mainly designed to perform a transport function. It is through it that mineral substances and water are transferred. Meanwhile, he fulfills the duty of supporting the tree and is a kind of “warehouse” for the conservation of nutrients. The trunk is covered with a special shell - the bark. It is needed to protect the tree from the effects of temperature, wind, sunlight and dangerous insects. Therefore, we can say that the main difference between a tree and a shrub is a trunk.
Crohn, in fact, is the total number of branches and leaves of the plant in question. Its main function is to participate in photosynthesis.
What is a bush?
Shrubs are perennials with several woody primary branches. But unlike trees, the average viability of one bush is approximately 20 years. However, it tends to rejuvenate. New shoots grow from its root, which will soon form a new plant. Shrubs can be from 0.5 m to 6 m tall. Moreover, they are often used as a hedge. In both coniferous and deciduous forests, undergrowth is formed from different types of shrubs. Among the domestic, most common species, currants, gooseberries, barberries, and lilacs are popular.
Bush structure
First of all, it should be remembered that the plants in question do not have trunks. This is the main thing that distinguishes a tree from a bush. Primary branches grow from the root. Secondary branches and so on may depart from them. In relation to the root system, bushes have one nuance: if the plant was grown from seeds, then it has a pronounced main root. If the reproduction was carried out by a vegetative method, then the root system has a fibrous form. This information may come in handy when choosing seedlings. Most shrubs, especially fruit, have roots that grow at a shallow depth (up to 20-25 cm). But there are also plants that are rooted deep into 1.5 m.
The main differences
It has already been said how to identify a tree. These plants differ from the bush by the presence of a trunk. This is the simplest and most obvious factor in the structural features. If in the bushes several primary branches can grow from one root, then a tree is characterized by one trunk.
Usually trees live much longer. Their average height is several times the size of the bush. Although in rare cases, there are instances that do not fall under this definition. In addition, the difference is that the bushes have the ability to rejuvenate, unlike trees. The root system of the latter plants is much more powerful, stronger and larger. Typically, people use shrubs in the form of a hedge, a source of fruit, or to extract medicinal substances. Wood, among other things, is also used as wood.
This invaluable material is almost indispensable in some types of industry and construction. Thus, we found out how the tree differs from the bush.