01
der Baumstamm
tree trunk
The thick, woody main part of a tree, located between the roots and the crown with its branches.
example
Der Specht hämmerte ein Loch in den alten Baumstamm.
The woodpecker hammered a hole into the old tree trunk.
der Baumstamm
tree trunk
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Baum' (tree) and 'Stamm' (trunk). So it literally describes the trunk of a tree.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder kletterten auf den dicken Baumstamm.
The children climbed onto the thick tree trunk.
Typical verbs
Common actions connected with a tree trunk are 'einen Baumstamm fällen' (to fell a tree trunk), 'zersägen' (to saw up), or 'sich an einen Baumstamm lehnen' (to lean against a tree trunk).
EXAMPLE
Der Forstarbeiter muss den alten Baumstamm zersägen.
The forestry worker has to saw up the old tree trunk.
Typical adjectives
A tree trunk is often described with adjectives such as 'dick' (thick), 'dünn' (thin), 'alt' (old), 'morsch' (rotten), or 'glatt' (smooth).
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, der morsche Baumstamm könnte zusammenbrechen.
Careful, the rotten tree trunk could collapse.
Compare with
Baumstamm vs Stamm
trunk / tribe
'der Stamm' and 'der Baumstamm' can mean the same thing: the thick, woody main part of a tree. 'Baumstamm' is completely unambiguous because it refers only to the tree. 'Stamm' is shorter and very natural in this context, but it also has other meanings, for example with groups of people or in language. If the context makes it clear that you are talking about a tree, you can use both words. If you want to avoid misunderstandings, 'Baumstamm' is more precise.
Baumstamm
Die Kinder balancieren vorsichtig über den Baumstamm am Bach.
The children carefully balance across the tree trunk by the stream.
Stamm
Der Stamm der alten Eiche ist sehr breit.
The trunk of the old oak tree is very wide.
In real life
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