branch angles?

[Mesterh]

OK.

 

If we agree that horizontal(90) is the most likely failure point then anything before that has the potential to reach 90 anything after is less likely.

 

So, a branch at say 45 could with snow on get weighed down and go towards 90 therefore towards failure.

 

A branch at 90 that gathers snow will droop down and drop the snow before failure!

 

Well thats my theory.

[Arob]

OK.

 

If we agree that horizontal(90) is the most likely failure point then anything before that has the potential to reach 90 anything after is less likely.

 

So, a branch at say 45 could with snow on get weighed down and go towards 90 therefore towards failure.

 

A branch at 90 that gathers snow will droop down and drop the snow before failure!

 

Well thats my theory.

 

I think it's similar to the way that sand dunes form a critical mass before slipping and extending their base, hence spreading the load. I wonder if there is a thermal benefit in having a covering of snow snow (minimising frost damage which is offset against the loading effect)?

Or perhaps it is simply that the benefit of light harvesting outweighs the cost of risk of physical damage?

 

Nice pic btw Tim

[Czlowiek Drzewo]

what a cracking tree that it is. looks cool with all that snow on it.