Which part of the tree is primarily responsible for water and nutrient transportation?

The xylem is primarily responsible for the transportation of water and nutrients within a tree. This tissue is specialized for conducting water and dissolved minerals that are absorbed from the soil through the roots up into the leaves and other parts of the plant. The xylem vessels, which are tube-like structures, create a pathway that allows for the efficient movement of water, utilizing processes such as capillary action and transpiration.

In contrast, while the phloem is also an important part of the tree, its primary role is to transport sugars and nutrients produced through photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant. The leaves, although essential for photosynthesis and gas exchange, do not transport water or nutrients in the same way as the xylem. Roots are crucial for anchorage and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil, but they do not directly transport these materials; instead, they facilitate the uptake into the xylem for distribution throughout the tree.