Question

Suppose George Washington completely removed the bark from around the base of a cherry tree but was stopped by his father before cutting the tree down. The leaves retained their normal appearance for several weeks, but the tree eventually died. The tissue(s) that George destroyed was (were) probably the ______ and the tissue that Goege left undisturbed was (were) the _______
phloem;
xylem

Answer 1

Answer: The tissue(s) that George destroyed was (were) probably the PHLOEM.

and the tissue that Goege left undisturbed was (were) the XYLEM.

A PHLOEM tissue is the vascular tissue in land plants primarily responsible for the distribution of sugars and nutrients manufactured in the shoot.

A XYLEM tissue is the vascular tissue in land plants primarily responsible for the distribution of water and minerals taken up by the roots; also the primary component of wood.

As can be deduced from both definitions, removal of the phloem will ultimately lead to the death of the plant because the phloem is primarily responsible for the distribution of sugars and nutrients manufactured in the shoot.