what is bark of a tree

The bark of a tree is the outermost layer of the stem and roots of woody plants). It is similar in many ways to our own skin and is essential for a trees survival. Bark protects trees from harsh environmental conditions including weather, pests, disease, and physical damage from hungry animals. Bark is different across species, and some trees have thick, rough bark while others have thin, smooth bark. The bark consists of two layers, the outer layer, which is composed of dead cells, and the inner layer, which is living. The outer layer is the trees protection from the outside world, and it helps keep out moisture in the rain and prevents the tree from losing moisture when the air is dry. It insulates against cold and heat and wards off insect enemies. The inner bark, or "phloem," is a pipeline through which food is passed to the rest of the tree. When it rains, bark acts like a sponge and absorbs water, and each tree species has a maximum storage capacity of water that can be held in the bark. Bark is an important component of the water cycle because it absorbs rainwater, and some of the rainwater is absorbed into the bark and does not make it to the forest floor.