Woody plant

These are usually perennial plants[3] whose stems and larger roots are reinforced with wood produced from secondary xylem.

[4] Meanwhile, dormancy in subtropical and tropical climates is due to the dry season; when low precipitation limits water available for growth.

Many woody plants native to the subtropics and tropics are evergreen due to year-round warm temperatures and rainfall.

[8] During the fall months, each stem in a deciduous plant cuts off the flow of nutrients and water to the leaves.

Most woody plants native to colder climates have distinct growth rings produced by each year's production of new vascular tissue.

As a woody plant grows, it will often lose lower leaves and branches as they become shaded out by the canopy (biology).

If a given stem is producing an insufficient amount of energy for the plant, the roots will "abort" it by cutting off the flow of water and nutrients, causing it to gradually die.

At the end of the growing season, the newly grown roots become woody and cease future length expansion, but will continue to expand in diameter.

However, unlike the above-ground portion of the plant, the root system continues to grow, although at a slower rate, throughout the dormant season.