HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brüchert, F. Articles by Gardiner, B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Brüchert, F. Articles by Gardiner, B. Agricola Articles by Brüchert, F. Articles by Gardiner, B.

The effect of wind exposure on the tree aerial architecture and biomechanics of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis, Pinaceae)¹

²Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg, Wonnhaldestr. 4, D-79100 Freiburg, Germany; ³Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY, Scotland

ABSTRACT

This paper reports on the effect of wind loading below damaging strength on tree mechanical and physical properties. In a wind-exposed Sitka spruce stand in western Scotland, 60 trees at four different levels of wind exposure (10 m, 30 m, 50 m, 90 m from edge) were characterized for stem and crown size and shape and mechanical properties, including structural Young's modulus (E_struct), natural frequency, and damping ratio. E_struct increased from the stand edge to the mid-forest, but with a large inter-tree variation. Swaying frequency and damping ratio of the trees also increased with distance from edge. Wind-exposed edge trees grew shorter, but more tapered with an overall lower E_struct, allowing for greater flexural stiffness at the stem base due to the larger diameter and for higher flexibility in the crown region of the stem. The trees at the middle of the stand compensated for their increased slenderness with a higher E_struct. Thus, for the different requirements for wind-firmness at stand edge and mid-forest, an adapted combination of tree form and mechanical properties allows the best withstanding of wind loads. The results show the requirement to understand the different strategies of trees to adapt to environmental constraints and the heterogeneity of their growth reactions in response to these strategies.

Key Words: architecture; biomechanics; crown size and shape; damping ratio; structural Young's modulus; swaying frequency

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H.-Hee. Han, C. Coutand, H. Cochard, C. Trottier, and P.-E. Lauri Effects of shoot bending on lateral fate and hydraulics: invariant and changing traits across five apple genotypes J. Exp. Bot., October 1, 2007; 58(13): 3537 - 3547. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. X. Dupuy, T. Fourcaud, P. Lac, and A. Stokes A generic 3D finite element model of tree anchorage integrating soil mechanics and real root system architecture Am. J. Botany, September 1, 2007; 94(9): 1506 - 1514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Niklas, H.-C. Spatz, and J. Vincent Plant biomechanics: an overview and prospectus Am. J. Botany, October 1, 2006; 93(10): 1369 - 1378. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]