Is there anything more beautiful than the circle of life? Every living thing experiences the different stages of life, and we can all witness its growth and progress. The life cycle of a tree is no exception. Like everything else, it has various stages:
- 1st Stage: Seed (Conception)
- 2nd Stage: Sprout (Birth)
- 3rd Stage: Seedling (Infancy)
- 4th Stage: Sapling (Juvenile)
- 5th Stage: Mature Tree (Adult)
- 6th Stage: Declining/Old Tree (Elderly)
- 7th Stage: Rotten/Dead Tree (Death)
For the life cycle to run full circle, all conditions must be favorable for a tree to flourish and thrive. Trees must have adequate water, nutrients, and sunshine, as well as enough room to grow. All trees will have different needs, so be sure to do your research to help your tree thrive and be on the lookout for things that can cause your tree to weaken, like insects, diseases, and weather. If you have questions or want the help of experienced professionals to care for your trees in Highland, IL, contact our team at A-Unlimited Tree Service today and learn about our services.
Seed
The size and shape of the seed depend on the type of tree, but all seeds develop from the male and female parts of the tree when it produces fruits. Some seeds are formed with a protective shell, like acorns and hazelnuts. Other seeds have different protections, like pods or cones you’ll recognize as pinecones or helicopters. Many other seeds are found inside the fruit the tree produces, like apples, oranges, cherries, and pears. Nature disperses seeds by using wind, water, and even animals to carry the seeds to different places before they work their way into the ground and start growing. Wherever conditions are favorable in your Highland, IL area, a seed will germinate, sprout, and grow.
Sprout
Every seed is a tiny embryo and needs the proper environmental conditions like water, sunshine, and a food source to break through the seed coating and come to life. When the conditions are ideal, the sprout will start to form roots right away. Next, they grow into the soil to anchor the sprout and begin looking for water and other nutrients it will need to survive and thrive. Meanwhile, the sprout itself grows upward, seeking sunlight so it can produce leaves or needles to allow the tree to start the process of photosynthesis by making its food.
Seedling
When a sprout gets all the nutrients it needs, the soft stem will quickly harden and develop a thin but protective bark, taking on a woody appearance. Leaves and needles will continue to form as the root system expands underground along the upper sections of the soil to absorb the most water and nutrients. Other trees will be fighting for those same resources, so there is competition for growth. The tree is most susceptible to threats like drought, fire, floods, ice, snow, pests, animals, and disease at this vulnerable stage. To give your tree in Highland, IL, the best opportunity to grow, you must plant the right tree that will thrive in the conditions that exist in your area throughout the year.
Sapling
When a tree becomes a sapling, it is in its juvenile state and will usually be one to four inches in diameter, a size that’s perfect for transplanting into your yard. It won’t be mature enough to reproduce yet, but this stage involves rapid growth and energy that gives the tree the best chance of survival. Continue to care for your tree to ensure it stays on the right track and thrives so you can watch it progress and enjoy its beauty in your yard for years to come. Remember, if you need expert assistance to give your tree the best opportunity to grow successfully, you can rely on our professionals at A-Unlimited Tree Service in Highland, IL.
Mature
As the sapling grows, it enters the mature stage, where it will become as large as its species permits. Then, during the appropriate seasons, it will reproduce, bear fruit, and scatter its seeds back into nature so the cycle can begin again. The maturity stage is when the tree provides the most benefits, so it is the ideal time for harvesting if the intended purpose is to use the wood for burning or making products. If you don’t want to harvest your tree, then careful pruning and trimming can help it live a longer, healthier life. Over time, your tree will continue to provide you with benefits until it slowly starts to decline and eventually die, as all living things must. Its life expectancy depends mainly on the tree species and the care you devote to it.
If you have questions or want our professional services, call A-Unlimited Tree Service at 618.667.9885.
