树高千丈，落叶归根

• 木(tree; wood)RADICAL
• 对(respond; reply)PHONETIC

Two trees standing face to face in the forest are having a dialogue.

• 高(tall; high; tower; tall building)ASSOCIATIVE

A tall tower reaching high is drawn with a roof, gate, and stacked foundation layers piled on top of each other.

• 丿(stroke; expansion; many)ASSOCIATIVE
• 十(ten)ASSOCIATIVE

Ten multiplied many times becomes a thousand — the stroke above the number ten symbolizes an enormous quantity.

• 艹(grass; plant)RADICAL
• 洛(Luo River (sound and meaning of falling into water))PHONO-SEMANTIC

Leaves falling from a tree like water flowing in a river expresses the meaning of the character for falling.

• 彐(broom (radical))RADICAL
• 刀(knife; blade)ASSOCIATIVE

Returning home with a broom and knife ready to clean and settle down.

• 木(tree; wood)RADICAL
• 艮(firm; stop)PHONETIC

A tree's root is the hard, solid wood that lies deep underground and never moves.