bark

The outer protective covering of woody stems and roots in trees and shrubs.

Contains cork, phloem, and protective compounds that shield living tissue from pathogens, herbivores, and fire.

Bark texture varies widely across species, from smooth birch to deeply furrowed oak.

Cork cambium generates new bark layers as the stem expands, replacing outer tissue that cracks and peels.

Rich in tannins, resins, and terpenes, bark has been harvested for medicine, dyes, and construction materials throughout human history.

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