What will happen if the xylem tissue is damaged in a branch of a tree?

Xylem, plant vascular tissue that conveys water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant and also provides physical support. Xylem tissue consists of a variety of specialized, water-conducting cells known as trachea elements.

There are many consequences that will occur, if xylem dies out, like these:

• No conduction of water from to roots to various parts of plant.

• Much of the essential plant minerals that were transported to plant cells via xylem will get halted.

• Plant will not get mechanical support without the thick lignified cell wall of secondary xylem.

• Xylem also provides protection against harsh environmental conditions because of its thick layers covering the outer surface of a tree.

Because of all these reasons, the plant will eventually die due to heavy water loss, as xylem will not be there to conduct water and to protect from transpiration loss.