A tracheid is a tubular cell in a vascular plant that carries water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, and that provides structural support. Vessels within the plant are created as trachieds fuse together to create long tubes. Part of how a tree grows and supports itself involves how the trachieds (and other cells) die, dry out, and ultimately become the next inner layer of bark. One of the characteristics of tone wood, such as Sitka spruce, that is said to contribute to the sound of an instrument is how the tracheids carry vibrations.