Rubbing branches - life the universe and everything

[elicokiz]

Morning folks

I have a couple of questions to ask if you could kindly humor me? (1) As it is posible for rubbing branches to inosculate should they be retained when carrying out pruning operations, personally i always discuss the pros and cons of both sides of the argument before making a decision? (2) As trees have to balance their mass and energy ratio, generally sucumming to pests and disease as they deplete nutrient avalability. Why is it posible that Seqouiadendrons are able to continue growing at such an astonishing pace when they have been taking nutrients from the same site for hundreds if not thousands of years??

 

sorry for the randomness of my requests..must have got out of bed the wrong side this am

 

regards

Dave

[sloth]

1) not all rubbing branches of all species will join, I think in each case a decision should be based on the situation and whether joining is likely. It is possible sometimes to reduce loads or lever arms to reduce movement between the two members to allow them to join. This can be beneficial in the long run, allowing extra support to retain an otherwise dodgy branch.

2) never thought about that!

[Pedroski]

Morning folks

I have a couple of questions to ask if you could kindly humor me? (2) As trees have to balance their mass and energy ratio, generally sucumming to pests and disease as they deplete nutrient avalability. Why is it posible that Seqouiadendrons are able to continue growing at such an astonishing pace when they have been taking nutrients from the same site for hundreds if not thousands of years??

 

sorry for the randomness of my requests..must have got out of bed the wrong side this am

 

regards

Dave

 

Dave, have a quick look at this - Growth & Development. It explains about the root system of the sequoias. Some of the larger ones have a root system where the surface roots reach out over 200 feet in all directions, so the one tree will be taking nutrients from an area of over 4 acres! The entire root system is usually within a few feet of the soil surface. Think about how much tree litter, animal scat and other nutrients will fall on an area of 4 acres, and it gives a good idea of how the trees can grow the way they do! Amazing really.

 

A quote from that link:

"Despite its immense need for moisture and nutrients, the giant sequoia does not use up or over exploit the resources available to it. On the contrary, it tends to establish a very stable, long-term relationship with the soil around it. Systematic analysis and measurement of soil conditions around sequoias of varying ages show constant and reliable amounts of various chemicals necessary to a sequoia's well being."

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

we have to take account of a trees genetics/biology too, all trees have a rough age limit and an ultimate size.

[elicokiz]

Thanks for the link pedroski that's interesting stuff, iwonder if the mychorrizae network that Paul Staments puts forward allows biofeedback to occur amongst all these entwined giants and that is partly why they are so productive?