There are more than 40,000 kinds of trees in the world. T ey grow in deserts, forests, meadows, and swamps. T ey grow on the shores of oceans and lakes.


No matter where they grow, all trees have the same parts. Roots pull up water from the soil. Leaves make food from sunlight. Bark protects them from harm. Branches and trunks help trees reach high and survive bad weather. Trees are amazing things.


Circle of Life


Like all living things, trees have a life cycle. One kind of tree is an evergreen. It has green needles instead of leaves. It has cones instead of flowers. T e cones make seeds.When the seeds fall to the ground, they sprout new trees. T e cycle begins again.


Sometimes new trees can sprout from old, fallen trees.


12 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24