Trees as we usually think of them are these big trunks and branches. These are in a way, just the food gathering mouth-parts to serve the roots underground. The roots connect to water, soil, and creatures that break down organic matter and rock so it is available to the roots. Feathers are the same in a way. Each shed feather has a trunk-- the shaft, branches – the barbs, and twigs and branchlets, the barbules. But where are the bird’s roots? The roots of a feather is the bird itself which provides the nutrients for the feather to grow and anchors the feather to its grounding in the bird’s body.