The Greek noun dendron refers simply to a tree — any large, woody, perennial plant. Trees are ubiquitous in biblical imagery and carry rich symbolic weight throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, dendron appears especially in Jesus' teaching about fruit-bearing, judgment, and the nature of the kingdom.
Jesus' famous saying 'every good tree bears good fruit' (Matthew 7:17; 12:33) uses dendron to make a theological point about character and conduct. A tree is known by its fruit — and so a person is known by their actions. John the Baptist also warned that 'the ax is already at the root of the trees' (Matthew 3:10) — divine judgment is imminent for those who bear no fruit. In Revelation, the tree of life (dendron tēs zōēs) returns — the paradise of Genesis restored, its fruit available for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). The tree that signaled humanity's fall becomes the symbol of humanity's healing.