ABSTRACT Tree stem cells are primarily localized in the apical meristems, including the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and the root apical meristem (RAM), as well as in the lateral meristems, specifically the vascular cambium. Through continuous division and differentiation, these stem cells drive both vertical and radial growth in trees. This review systematically examines recent research progress on tree stem cells, with a focus on their structural organization and characteristics, mechanisms of maintenance and regulation, and potential applications. Structurally, tree stem cells exhibit pronounced tissue specificity and clear functional differentiations. With respect to regulatory mechanisms, their maintenance and differentiation are coordinately controlled by genetic networks such as CLV–WUS, WOX and HD‐ZIP III/KANADI, environmental factors such as drought, salinity and extreme temperatures, and plant hormones, including auxins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and gibberellins. In terms of applications, research on tree stem cells provides key technological support for in vitro cell culture, large‐scale production of bioactive compounds from forest products, and sustainable wood utilization. This paper summarizes recent domestic and international research on tree stem cells, highlighting their regulatory mechanisms, physiological characteristics, and application prospects. Furthermore, it discusses current challenges and future directions in this field, with the aim of informing efforts in forest genetic improvement and the sustainable development of tree resources.
Wang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.