Where is starch primarily stored in trees?

Starch is primarily stored in trees in various tissues, but the xylem and phloem play significant roles in this storage process. The xylem, which is the tissue responsible for water conduction, can also serve as a storage location for carbohydrates, including starch. The phloem, on the other hand, is vital for the transport of photosynthates (products of photosynthesis) including sugars that can be converted into starch for storage.

While starch is produced in leaves during photosynthesis, it does not accumulate significantly there. Instead, when produced, it is transported through the phloem to other parts of the tree, where it can be stored in the xylem or utilized in growth and metabolism. Therefore, the combination of xylem and phloem provides a more comprehensive understanding of where starch can be stored and transported within the tree compared to other tissues like pith or bark, which do not have the same storage capabilities for starch.