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A tree is a plant consisting of roots, one or more large stems called trunks, branches, twigs and leaves. In analogy with skin, a tree has bark to protect it against infections and fungus attacks, and also to transport nutrients and water to the growth zones along the branches and leaves. A small group of trees growing together is called a grove whereas a large population of trees is called a forest.

In mathematics, a tree is a kind of graph.

In computer science, a tree is a kind of hyerarchical data structure.

The rest of this article develops the original meaning of tree in botany.

The roots of a tree stand embedded in earth and extract water and nutrients from the surrounding soil. Above ground, the trunk gives height to the leaf-bearing branches in order to compete for sunlight. In many species of tree, the branches spread to present the largest possible leaf surface to the sun.

A tree may not have all of the organs mentioned here: most palms do not have branches, the saguaro of North America has no functional leaves, and tree ferns don't have bark. Based on their rough shape and size, all these are considered trees nonetheless.

Some types of tree can grow to over 100 meters of height and/or live for several millennia if circumstances are optimal. A smaller variant of tree, generally with smaller, or multiple trunks, is often called a shrub, though there's no precise boundary between the two categories.

Several biotopes are defined largely by the trees that inhabit them: The rainforest and the taiga are examples.

Trees often serve as important symbols in mythologies and religions. Examples are Yggdrasil in the Norse Mythology and the Tree of Knowledge and Christmas Tree of christianity.

Trees show a wide variety of leaf types and shapes, bark, flowers, fruit, etc. Types of tree include:

  • Broadleaves
    • Aceraceae family
      • Norway Maple, Acer platanoides
      • Sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus
      • Red Maple, Acer rubrum
    • Aquifoliaceae family
      • Common Holly, Ilex aquifolium
      • Tarajo Holly, Ilex latifolia
    • Betulaceae family
      • Common Alder, Alnus glutinosa
      • Silver Birch, Betula pendula
    • Fagaceae family
      • Sweet Chestnut, Castanea sativa
      • American Beech, Fagus grandifolia
      • Oriental Beech, Fagus orientalis
      • Common Beech, Fagus sylvatica
      • Black Beech, Nothofagus solandri
      • English Oak, Quercus robur
    • Fouquieriaceae family
    • Leguminosae family
    • Meliaceae family (Mahogany family)
      • Neem, Azadirachta indica (A. Juss)
      • Thai Neem, Azadirachta siamensis
      • Marango, Azadirachta excelsa (Jack)
      • Persian Lilac, Melia azedarach
      • Melia toosendan
      • Gurke, Melia volkensii
      • Mahogany, Swietenia mahagoni
    • Myristicaceae family
    • Myrtaceae family
      • Silver Gum, Eucalyptus cordata
    • Oleaceae family
    • Palmae family, also called Palmaceae or Arecaceae, the palm family
      • Areca Nut, sometimes miscalled "Betel Nut", Areca catechu
      • Coconut Cocos nucifera
      • Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis
      • Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera
      • Chusan Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei
    • Rhizophoraceae, the mangrove family
      • Red Mangrove, Rhizophora mangle
    • Rosaceae family
    • Rubiaceae family
      • coffee, Coffea arabica
      • coffee, Coffea robusta
    • Rutaceae family
      • Lime, Citrus aurantiifolia
      • Sour Orange, Citrus aurantium, Citrus bigaradia, Citrus vulgaris
      • Sweet Orange, Citrus sinensis
      • Grapefruit, Citrus paradisi
      • Mandarin, also called Tangerine, Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis
      • Lemon, Citrus limon, Citrus limonum
      • Satsuma, Citrus unshiu, Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis
    • Salicaceae family
      • Aspen, Populus tremula
    • Tiliaceae family. The Lime trees in this family are also known as Linden trees.
      • American Lime, Tilia americana
      • Common Lime, Tilia europaea
      • Mongolian Lime, Tilia mongolica
      • Silver Lime, Tilia tomentosa, Tilia argentea
  • Others, classification unknown