This text explores the philosophical problem of the relationship between a "whole" and a "set" or collection of parts, using a tree as a primary example. The author questions why we perceive a tree as a unified entity despite it being composed of numerous distinct elements such as branches, leaves, and roots. The reflection challenges the idea that this perception is merely subjective and investigates whether wholeness is an exclusive property of living organisms or if it can be found at lower, "pre-living" levels. The text proposes the concept of graduated wholeness, suggesting that different entities exhibit varying levels and qualities of unity. Through examples of vegetative reproduction in plants and organ transplants in animals, the author demonstrates the complexity of the boundaries between an individual and its parts. The objective is to initiate a deeper inquiry into the ontological nature of the "whole" across various degrees of existence, from biological systems to simpler structures.