Why did the tree go to the dentist?

Behind the Groan

Two Kinds of Roots

A root canal is a familiar dental procedure involving the inside of a tooth. A tree's roots are the underground structures that anchor and feed it, turning the procedure's name into a possible tree problem. Ask the setup as though the tree has an ordinary appointment. Leave a small beat before the answer, then say “root canal” without emphasizing either word. The dental meaning arrives first, while the tree setup supplies the second meaning immediately afterward.