Oak Tree Anatomy in 3D: Trunk, Tree Rings, Acorns and Roots

Oak Tree quick facts

Inside the oak tree

A slice through an oak trunk shows rings of wood, one for each year. On the outside is the bark, then a thin living layer that makes new wood and carries sugar, and inside that the sapwood carries water up from the roots. The dark heartwood in the middle holds the tree up.

Parts of the oak tree

In the Parts up close view you can tap each of these parts to zoom in:

Leaves and acorns

Oak leaves have wavy, rounded lobes, and acorns grow in little cups along the twigs.

Flowers

In spring, oaks hang out long catkins that release pollen into the wind.

Acorn to seedling

Inside every acorn is a baby oak. Planted in soil, it sends down a root and then a shoot.

Bark

Tough, cracked bark protects the living wood inside from insects and weather.

Tree rings

The tree adds one ring of wood every year, so you can count the rings to tell its age.

Inside the trunk

Under the bark are layers that carry water up and food down the trunk.

Inside a leaf

Tightly packed cells under the top of the leaf hold the green chlorophyll that catches light.

Root tip

The root tip pushes through the soil while tiny hairs soak up water.

Interesting facts about the oak tree

• Every year an oak adds a new ring of wood, so you can count the rings to find its age.
• Some oaks live for many hundreds of years.
• Oak flowers are dangling catkins, and the wind carries their pollen.
• An acorn can grow into a new oak tree.
• In Britain, oaks support more kinds of wildlife than any other native tree.