why are trees called trees?

Answer 1

This is a linguistics question, not a botany question.
Many short words for common objects come from the Old English words for these things. I figured this was an Old English word, and I was right.

In addition, anything resembling a tree, such as a data structure or a rack for shoes or coats, can be called a tree by extension.

http://www.answers.com/topic/tree
tree (trē)
n.

A perennial woody plant having a main trunk and usually a distinct crown.
A plant or shrub resembling a tree in form or size.
Something, such as a clothes tree, that resembles a tree in form.
A wooden beam, post, stake, or bar used as part of a framework or structure.
A saddletree.
A diagram that has branches in descending lines showing relationships as of hierarchy or lineage: a family tree; a telephone tree.
Computer Science. A structure for organizing or classifying data in which every item can be traced to a single origin through a unique path.
Archaic.
A gallows.
The cross on which Jesus was crucified.
tr.v., treed, tree·ing, trees.
To force up a tree: Dogs treed the raccoon.
Informal. To force into a difficult position; corner.
To supply with trees: treed the field with oaks.
To stretch (a shoe or boot) onto a shoetree.
idiom:
up a tree Informal.

In a situation of great difficulty or perplexity; helpless.

[Middle English, from Old English trēow.]

treeless tree'less adj.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=tree

tree
O.E. treo, treow "tree" (also "wood"), from P.Gmc. *trewan (cf. O.Fris. tre, O.S. trio, O.N. tre, Goth. triu), from PIE *deru-/*doru- "oak" (cf. Skt. dru "tree, wood," daru "wood, log;" Gk. drys "oak," doru "spear;" O.C.S. drievo "tree, wood;" Serb. drvo "tree," drva "wood;" Rus. drevo "tree, wood;" Czech drva; Pol. drwa "wood;" Lith. derva "pine wood;" O.Ir. daur, Welsh derwen "oak," Albanian drusk "oak"). Importance of the oak in mythology is reflected in the recurring use of words for "oak" to mean "tree." In O.E. and M.E., also "thing made of wood," especially the cross of the Crucifixion and a gallows (cf. Tyburn tree, gallows mentioned 12c. at Tyburn, at junction of Oxford Street and Edgware Road, place of public execution for Middlesex until 1783). Sense in family tree first attested 1706; verb meaning "to chase up a tree" is from 1700. Tree-hugger, contemptuous for "environmentalist" is attested by 1989.
"Minc'd Pyes do not grow upon every tree,
But search the Ovens for them, and there they be."
["Poor Robin," Almanack, 1669]

Answer 2

The word "trees" comes from the Greek "druys" meaning "oak."

Answer 3

tree Look up tree at Dictionary.com
O.E. treo, treow "tree" (also "wood"), from P.Gmc. *trewan (cf. O.Fris. tre, O.S. trio, O.N. tre, Goth. triu), from PIE *deru-/*doru- "oak" (cf. Skt. dru "tree, wood," daru "wood, log;" Gk. drys "oak," doru "spear;" O.C.S. drievo "tree, wood;" Serb. drvo "tree," drva "wood;" Rus. drevo "tree, wood;" Czech drva; Pol. drwa "wood;" Lith. derva "pine wood;" O.Ir. daur, Welsh derwen "oak," Albanian drusk "oak"). Importance of the oak in mythology is reflected in the recurring use of words for "oak" to mean "tree." In O.E. and M.E., also "thing made of wood," especially the cross of the Crucifixion and a gallows (cf. Tyburn tree, gallows mentioned 12c. at Tyburn, at junction of Oxford Street and Edgware Road, place of public execution for Middlesex until 1783). Sense in family tree first attested 1706; verb meaning "to chase up a tree" is from 1700. Tree-hugger, contemptuous for "environmentalist" is attested by 1989.

"Minc'd Pyes do not grow upon every tree,
But search the Ovens for them, and there they be."
["Poor Robin," Almanack, 1669]
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tree

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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

until 1729 the word tree did not exist. it was coined by the little known English poet, Perkin runtingbold. up until that date trees were known as wooden pointy things. according to anecdotal evidence Perkin's poetry was excruciatingly bad and he had to batter about the language to get it to rhyme. one day he was stuck for a word that rhymed with breeze, 'the breeze in the leevs of the wooden pointy things', didn't work so he made up the word trees. Perkin was beaten to death by an enraged audience at one of his readings who felt cheated by the lack of rhyme, sense and even understandable English. Perkin's whole cannon of work was publicly burnt by cheering crowds, along with the libraries which held them. who knows, if his work had survived he may have been known as the father of free verse. but all we have to remember him by is the word 'tree'.

Answer 4

because they look like trees

Answer 5

Because you touch yourself at night. Great job!

(It comes from the old english "Tre".)

Answer 6

Because they aren't made of metal!

Answer 7

why is your name sarge???
lol kinda a weird question that is hard to answer

Answer 8

Because that's how God wanted it.