What Cells Make up Bark

The rhytidome is the most familiar part of bark, being the outer layer that covers the trunks of trees. It is composed mostly of dead cells and is produced by the formation of multiple layers of suberized periderm, cortical and phloem tissue. The rhytidome is especially well developed in older stems and roots of trees.

What cells are in bark?

The outer cells of bark, known as cork, grow through cellular division in the cork cambium, present outside of the phloem. The outer part of the bark is a layer of dead cells, which can be as thick as several inches or more, and serves to protect the internal living tissues from injury, heat, and desiccation.

How is bark formed?

Formation of bark: The bark is formed as a result of the secondary growth in the plants. (ii) As the cork cells do not get any supply of water and food from the Inner conducting tissue, they gradually dry up and die and the dead cells are commonly known as bark. Thus, the dead cells form a hard layer around the stem.