Xylem (heartwood): mature, dead tissue; provides support
Xylem (sapwood): live tissue; transports water to leaves
Vascular cambium: thin cylinder; divides to produce new xylem and phloem
Phloem: live tissue; conducts food from leaves to other plant parts
Cork cambium: inner layer of periderm that produces new bark as needed
As a tree grows, it increases in girth. Where does most of the increase occur?
Explanation
As the sapwood matures and dies, the vascular cambium divides to replace it. The dead xylem adds to the girth of the heartwood at the tree’s center. The vascular cambium also produces new phloem, and this layer increases in girth as well.
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