Let a tree come to life for you as you listen to its inner dialogue. Listen to the tree hard at work as it draws water up from the soil, through the xylem to its leaves.
Created by Louise Fowler-Smith
Workshop Description
Have you ever wondered how a tree transports water from the soil to its leaves?
Water is extracted from the soil into the root cells via osmosis, which is a process whereby water moves from a dilute state to a solution more concentrated in salts. The core of the root of a tree contains the xylem, which is tissue made up of connected cells called tracheids. The purpose of each tracheid is to support the tree and to carry water, which passes into the xylem through the endodermis or root wall. The water seeps through the wall of the tracheid into the next tracheid, thus travelling through the plant. In a grown tree, tracheid columns stretch from the roots to the canopy and have the ability to pull water more than 100 metres from the ground!
Through the headphones hanging from the tree you can hear the wonderful hidden sounds of the inner workings of the tree. Listen to the tree hard at work as it draws water up from the soil, through the xylem to its leaves. Can you hear the sound of the water? Can you also hear a popping sound? As water is pulled up from the roots to the leaves it mixes with air. When air and water mix under pressure a popping sound is made. This happens as the leaves lose water through evaporation by the sun.
Find a place under the tree to listen, be still and to enjoy your connection with this tree.