What are tiny projections of tree roots that absorb the bulk of nutrients and water required by the tree known as?

The tiny projections of tree roots that absorb the bulk of nutrients and water required by the tree are known as root hairs. Root hairs are extensions of the root epidermis and significantly increase the surface area of the root system. This enhanced surface area allows for more effective absorption of water and minerals from the soil, which are essential for the tree's growth and vitality. Root hairs play a crucial role in the overall health of the plant by providing access to nutrients that would otherwise be unavailable.

While rootlets and mycorrhizae are important components of a tree's root structure and function, they serve different purposes. Rootlets are small branches of the primary roots, while mycorrhizae represent a symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots that improves nutrient uptake but are not projections themselves. Tendrils, on the other hand, are specialized structures in climbing plants and are not related to the absorption function of tree roots.