Why Do Trees Make Fruit?

Fruit is delicious and a big part of our diets, but trees don’t grow fruit just to feed us. They produce fruit because it helps them reproduce. Let’s dig into the science of fruit and discover why it’s such an important part of a tree’s survival.

Episode Transcript: Why Do Trees Make Fruit Anyway?

Hey there, curious minds, welcome to another episode of I Wonder, the show where we explore the questions you've been wondering about. Today's question comes from Frida. Frida asked “why do trees produce fruit?” What a sweet question, Frida.

Fruit sure is delicious, but trees don't grow fruits just to feed us. They produce fruit because it helps them reproduce. Let's dig into the science of fruit and discover why it's such an important part of a tree's survival.

Why do trees produce fruit? Trees produce fruit for one main reason. To reproduce.

Like all living things, trees want to ensure the survival of their species. Reproduction is how they create the next generation of trees. But since trees can't move, they rely on their seeds to carry their genetic material to new places where they can grow. Fruit plays a crucial role in this process by protecting the seeds and helping them get transported from the parent tree. By wrapping their seeds in fruit, trees create a strategy for survival. The fruit not only shields the seeds from harsh conditions, but also attracts animals that can spread the seeds to new locations. It's a clever way for trees to reproduce without needing to move.

How does fruit help trees spread their seeds? If a tree dropped all its seeds directly underneath itself, the young trees would struggle to survive. They'd compete with the parent tree for sunlight, water and nutrients in the soil. Fruit helps solve this problem by encouraging animals like birds, squirrels and even humans to carry the seeds away. When an animal eats fruit, it often carries the seeds to a new location. Sometimes the seeds pass through the animal's digestive system and are deposited in a pile of… you guessed it… fertilizer. Other times, animals drop the seeds while transporting the fruit. Either way, the seeds end up in a new spot where they can grow without competing with the parent tree.

Trees have evolved to make their fruit appealing to animals. That's why fruits are often sweet, juicy and colorful. Their sweetness comes from natural sugars like glucose and fructose, which provide energy for animals. Bright colors like red, orange and yellow signal to animals that the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. Even the smell of ripe fruit is designed to attract hungry animals. It's the tree's way of saying "here, eat this and don't forget to take my seeds with you. This relationship benefits both the tree and the animals. The tree gets its seeds spread far and wide and the animal gets a tasty snack packed with energy and nutrients.

Not all fruits are edible. While many fruits are designed to be eaten, others use different methods to spread their seeds. For example, coconuts float on water, allowing them to travel long distances by ocean currents. Fruits like burdock have seeds that stick to the fur of animals hitching a ride to a new location. Some fruits, like acorns, provide food for animals during tough seasons, encouraging them to bury seeds that may later grow into trees. Even fruits that are edible to some animals might not be safe for others. Certain berries, for example, are toxic to humans but perfectly fine for birds, showing how trees adapt their fruit to suit their environment.

Do all fruits have seeds? What about fruits like bananas or seedless watermelons? These fruits don't have seeds because humans have bred them that way for convenience. Most bananas we eat are clones of a single plant, while seedless watermelons are grown using special techniques that prevent seeds from forming. In the wild, their relatives do have seeds, serving the tree's natural purpose of reproduction.

Here are some fun facts about fruit.

Did you know that tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins are technically fruits? They develop from flowers and contain seeds, even though we often think of them as vegetables. Another fun fact is that the world's largest fruit is the jackfruit which can weigh over 80 pounds. That's like carrying a small person. Figs have an especially unique relationship with tiny wasps that pollinate their flowers. These wasps lay their eggs inside the figs, creating a fascinating neutral partnership between plant and insect.

So, to answer Frida's question, "why do trees produce fruit? It's all about survival and reproduction. By producing fruit, trees protect their seeds and ensure they can spread to new locations, giving the next generation the best chance to grow. Whether it's a juicy apple, a coconut floating along the water or a sweet mango, fruit is nature's clever way of helping trees thrive, and it doesn't hurt that it's also delicious.

Thanks again to Frida for such a delightful question and remember, if you have a question you're curious about, submit it on our website iwonderpodcast.com. We might just feature it in our next episode of I Wonder. Until next time, stay curious and keep wondering.