Question

The loss of which will harm the tree most
A) Bark
B) Half the leaves
C) Half the branches
D) All the leaves

Answer 1

Hint: Girdling is a process which damages phloem tissues of a plant. This will interfere with the distribution of food to other parts of the plant resulting in death of a plant over time.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Outer covering of the trunk of the tree is known as bark. It helps in transporting food that is prepared in the form of sugar through the process of photosynthesis and water to various parts of the tree. Girdling refers to the removal of bark. Phloem layer (which is responsible for carrying food produced by plants to distant plant parts) is present just below the bark. So, during the girdling process, these phloem tissues also get damaged impairing the food conduction in the plant. Subsequently in the absence of food, the roots and leaves will also die leading to the death of plants.
Loss of the branches from the trees will have negligible effect on trees. On the other hand, transpiration rate and starch will be affected if a tree loses half of its leaves. However in case if a plant loses all its leaves also, it will regrow new leaves but if bark is damaged, the tree will die.

So, the correct answer is option “A” that is the loss of which will harm the tree most.

Note: Roots, leaves and barks of a tree are often invaded by insects if proper pest control measures are not taken to prevent the tree from diseases. These pests attack the plants and damage the vascular system thereby killing the tree.