branch angles?

[cerneARB]

I have been revising for next weeks inspection course and as usual i think off more questions than whats normal..if there is a normal.

 

What do you folks think is the opitman angle for a branch before it succombs to fracture?

 

I know it makes a differnce due to its length,diameter,end loading,included bark, cracks and site charactristics. Are we looking at 90 degrees to the trunk (horizontal) as a bad example off opimization?

 

Is there a good angle for a branch which is best for it?

[scotspine1]

I have been revising for next weeks inspection course and as usual i think off more questions than whats normal..if there is a normal.

 

What do you folks think is the opitman angle for a branch before it succombs to fracture?

 

I know it makes a differnce due to its length,diameter,end loading,included bark, cracks and site charactristics. Are we looking at 90 degrees to the trunk (horizontal) as a bad example off opimization?

 

Is there a good angle for a branch which is best for it?

 

Depends on the species, health and situation of the tree.....there's no good or bad angles for tree branches.

[Mesterh]

I would say due to gravity a horizontal one.

 

But as Tim Craig says it depends on about 6 trillion other variables.

[scotspine1]

I would say due to gravity a horizontal one.

 

Your right about that, a horizontal branch has the largest load due to the centre of gravity being at the furthest point out from the stem, but then why does nearly every species of conifer have horizontal branches?

[Arob]

"why does nearly every species of conifer have horizontal branches?"

 

To catch light?

To shed snow (depending on location)?

[WeeDee]

Your right about that, a horizontal branch has the largest load due to the centre of gravity being at the furthest point out from the stem, but then why does nearly every species of conifer have horizontal branches?

 

There must be more to be gained by doing so than there is to be lost. ie. photosynthesis versus fracture potential.

 

The organism has many factors to 'deal with' - it reaches the best compromise.

[Mesterh]

but then why does nearly every species of conifer have horizontal branches?

 

Right I have just made this up on the spot but I reckon its got something to do with snow!

[Mesterh]

"why does nearly every species of conifer have horizontal branches?"

 

To catch light?

To shed snow (depending on location)?

 

Oi! you just added/edited that last bit in! You sneaky sod:sneaky2:

[Arob]

Oi! you just added/edited that last bit in! You sneaky sod:sneaky2:

 

Snow I never!

 

 

 

 

Fair cop guv

[scotspine1]

Right I have just made this up on the spot but I reckon its got something to do with snow!

 

How do horizontal branches help a Cedar of Lebanon shed snow?