Do roots suck up nutrients from the soil as well or are plants, including trees, unable to suck up water, dirt, etc, without the help of fungi, germs, bacteria, microorganisms, small invisible animals, worms, etc? I do find all of this to be surprising and interesting.
They do it on their own but the other life works with them. ✌️
Teamwork. Similar to what happens in the stomach.
A great deal of nutrients in the soil are not bioavailable to plants. Different microorganisms actually eat and digest parts of the soil to make them available to the trees. Elaine Ingham, Paul Stamets, and Peter McCoy each do a great job if explaining this, if you're looking for more sources.
Almost like a decentralized cow or I wonder if the stomach is like that where bacteria digests things to help the body take it in, in a similar fashion. Thanks.