how do woody plants grow

Woody plants grow through a process called secondary growth, which involves the activity of a specialized tissue called the cambium. The cambium is a thin layer of meristematic cells located just beneath the bark, which produces new wood (xylem) towards the inside and new inner bark (phloem) towards the outside. This growth causes the plant to increase in girth (diameter). Woody plants grow taller primarily from buds located at the tips of their branches, called apical buds, which release hormones (like auxin) to promote upward growth and suppress lower buds' growth, a phenomenon known as apical dominance. This structure supports water and nutrient transport through xylem and phloem tissues and gives the plant strength and stability. Each year, woody plants add new layers of wood, with spring growth producing larger, less dense cells called early wood, and summer growth producing smaller, denser cells called late wood. These alternating growth patterns form visible annual rings in temperate climates. When growth slows or ceases (such as in winter or dry seasons), the plant enters dormancy, and growth halts until favorable conditions return. Woody plants also shed older, shaded leaves and branches and continually expand their root systems to support the growing above-ground structure. The outer bark protects the plant from physical damage and environmental stress, while the wood provides structural support and facilitates the movement of water and nutrients. In summary, woody plants grow taller from the tips of branches through the activity of buds controlled by hormones, and they grow thicker through secondary growth by the cambium producing new wood and bark layers annually. This complex growth system allows them to become large, tall, and long-lived.