![](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/ground-view/launay-guen-fr-01.jpg?d=128x128)EcoTree Forestry Glossary 
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Are you interested in better knowing trees and the forest? Discover the **technical vocabulary, lexicon and definitions** of tree-related terms and enrich your knowledge of the forest, of tree species, of the anatomy of trees, of wood and soil types!
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Launay Guen Forest, France

Are you interested in better knowing trees and the forest? Discover the **technical vocabulary, lexicon and definitions** of tree-related terms and enrich your knowledge of the forest, of tree species, of the anatomy of trees, of wood and soil types!





###  What distinguishes conifers from deciduous trees? 





The trees are grouped into two large groups:  **deciduous**  on one side and  **conifers**  or  **conifers**  on the other. Conifers usually have leaves reduced to needles ( [ pine ](https://ecotree.green/en/offers/species/maritime-pine) , [ spruce ](https://ecotree.green/en/offers/species/sitka-spruce) ) or scales ( [ thuya ](https://ecotree.green/en/offers/species/red-cedar) ). Their foliage is persistent, except in some such as larch. The  **photosynthesis of conifers**  continues partially, giving them faster growth than those of hardwoods. Thus, conifers reach higher sizes faster. From an ecological point of view, softwoods are generally less demanding with regard to the composition of the soil than hardwoods and also more resistant to cold.





![conifere]()

ConifersThe term coniferous tree means "  *which bears cones*  ". The fruits of many coniferous trees come in the form of cones (the famous pine cones). Conifers, a sub-branch of [ gymnosperms ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#gymnosperme) , are trees and shrubs, whose ovules (and therefore, after fertilization, the seeds) are bare, simply pinched between the scales of a cone. Not all conifers produce resins and are therefore not all conifers, for example [Giant Thuja ](https://ecotree.green/en/offers/species/red-cedar) .



HardwoodsThe denomination of "conifers" reminds us that the wood of these species contains resin, a viscous and fragrant substance, secreted in the [ leaves ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#feuille) , the [ bark ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#tronc) and often in woody tissue. Softwoods are part of conifers.



SoftwoodsHardwoods belong to [ angiosperms ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#angiosperme), [ Dicotyledons ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#dicotyledone) are trees [ Deciduous ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#caduc) and therefore lose their leaves in winter.Unlike conifers, ova develop in a closed ovary.

![feuillu]()



AngiospermThe term "*angiosperm*" comes from Greek and comprises **seed plants**. Angiosperms, commonly known as "*flowering plants*", are plants whose reproductive organs are condensed into a flower and whose fertilized seeds are enclosed in a fruit.



![dicotyledone]()

dicotyledonousName given to plants whose embryo contained in the seeds most generally bears two leaves which appear at the time of reproduction.



GymnospermGreek term for seed plants. The characteristic of gymnosperm plants is that their ovum is bare and receives **pollen** directly. It is carried by a fertile leaf or open scales.AnemophilousCharacteristic of a plant species whose pollen travels by air by the wind, thus allowing the fertilization process.



EntomophilousA plant whose fertilization depends on **pollination by insects**.

![entomophile]()







 Around and about the Forest 
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BiodiversityEtymological sense of the term, evokes the diversity of living species (micro-organisms, plants, animals) present in an environment, and therefore all the processes, lifestyles or functions that lead to maintaining an organism in the state of life.FaunaAll the animal species living in a same geographical space at a given timeFloraAll the plant species living in the same geographical space at a given period.



Log[ Trunk ](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#tronc) of the felled tree, topped and cleared of the crown and branches.

![grume]()



Deciduous"*Deduc*" comes from Latin and means to fall. A deciduous plant is therefore a plant that loses its leaves to save energy in the fall, when the temperatures and the length of the day decreases. The trees go to sleep.Pioneer SpeciesFirst species that grows back on ground that has been burned or cleared after a clear cutting. Pine and birch are pioneer species in such situation.ThermophilicThis term describes a plant which grows preferably in hot and sunny places.



![sylviculture]()

ForestrySilviculture is a management of **sustainable development** of the forest or afforestation.



PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis creates nutrients (in the form of carbohydrates) from the sun's light. Organisms that use photosynthesis are autotrophic.AutotrophicAn organism able to create its own organic matter from mineral elements.MonoeciousA plant which carries male flowers and female flowers separated from each other, but on the same specimen.DioeciousA unisexual plant, requiring 2 specimen, a male and a female to ensure reproduction.Humid zoneRegion where water is the main factor controlling the natural environment and associated animal and plant life.



![tourbiere]()

Peat bogWetland, covered by vegetation, whose specific ecological conditions have allowed the formation of a soil consisting of a peat deposit.



PeatFossil organic matter, made of vegetal debris from the decomposition of plants in the absence of airLitterNatural layer of organic debris, leaves, twigs and decaying bark on the soil hosting an ecosystem of decomposing organisms that gradually transforms it into humus.



HumusUpper layer of soil created and maintained by the decomposition of organic matter.

![humus]()



DetritivoresDecomposing organism (bacteria, fungi or invertebrates) feeding on detritus of animal or vegetable origin. They participate in the recycling of organic compounds and therefore play an essential role in the food chain.ReforestationOperation which consists in restoring or creating wooded areas or forests, typically after a clear cutting or storm.Pessière A spruce grove is a plantation or a natural forest populated by spruces.







 Soil types 
============





Sandy soilOften dry, nutritiously poor, and very draining



Silty soilEasier to work with and able to store considerable volumes of water, these soils are different from sandy soils due to their ease of forming a crust, which is often very hard.

![limoneux]()



Clay soilExcellent water retention, clay soils are heavy soils and do not heat up well after winter.Limestone soilMore uncommon, limestone is present in pure soil (stone), in the form of sand or clay (marl). The presence of limestone promotes the decomposition of organic matter and the assimilation of mineral elements by plants.Humus soilTypical peatland soil, it is often acidic and not suitable for many crops. Easily retains water but is prone to drying out in summer.







 Around the Tree 
=================





WoodPlant tissue (xylem) which plays a double role in vascular plants: conductor of the raw sap and support tissue which gives their resistance to the stems.





#### ![trunk]()1. BarkThe external layer covering the trunk, branches and roots of ligneous plants (i.e. living trees, shrubs, cacti and climbing plants).
2. PhloemVascular tissue used by plants for nutrition purposes
3. Cambiumknown as "second bark" or "inner bark".
4. SapwoodPeripheral layers of physiologically active wood, rich in reserve substances.
5. DuramenHeartwood, the central part of the wood that plays a mechanical role in supporting the tree.
6. PithInner part of the plant used to transport nutrients.








![tree]()1. CrowneAll branches and part of the trunk not included in the bole. In common parlance, it is often referred to as the "head of the oak".
2. BolePart of the tree trunk under the crown and devoid of branches.
3. RootsUnderground parts of a plant that attach it to the soil and draw water and nutrients necessary for its development.
4. TrunkMain part of the stem of a tree, usually bare, located between the roots and the crown.
5. 5. FoliageSet of Leaves.
6. BranchThe lengthening and growth in lateral thickness of the trunk of a tree are part of the processes that allow a plant to grow.








![leaf]()1. LeafThin flat part
2. Budexcrescence occurring at the end of summer and in autumn on the stem or branch of a tree and which contains the "embryo" of the stems, branches, leaves, flowers or fruits.
3. TwigSmall tree branch







Raw sapMineral water transported to the leaves through the sapwood.



![chaton]()

CatkinsSoft inflorescences characteristic of certain deciduous trees which can be erect or hanging, greenish yellow or silvery. While the catkins are visible from fall or winter, they only really come out in spring, when they release their pollen.



InflorescencesAll the flowers grouped together and arranged in a precise manner on a stem.



PeduncleVegetative organ connecting the flower to the stem.

![pedoncule]()













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