The reason why certain areas on earth receive more solar radiation and are warmer is because of the

a- angle of the sun rays
b-distance they are from the sun

The answer is B, the farther or closer the earth is from the sun the warmer or colder it will get.

By water evaporation from the leaves is created a negative pressure at the top of the tree that promotes the ascension  of the water through channels that are called xylem. there are also two molecule forces that are involved: the intra-water molecules cohesion (water molecules stick to each other) and the adhesion when the water molecules stick to the channels they are running in. this is what enables water to go from the roots to the top of a tall tree.