Tree physics limits height and leaf size, study shows

[Matt GT]

Just sharing what I thought was an interesting article. Go easy on me if it has been shared all ready

 

Tree physics limits height and leaf size, study shows :: UC Davis News & Information

Edited January 19, 2013 by Steve Bullman

[daltontrees]

Hey, don't apologise. It's an interesting subject. Two ways to look at it are (a) trees just are , okay? and (b) why, how, where and when do they grow so big? Both valid views of trees. But the article has got me thinking ... i'll refrain from hypothesising wildly myself for now.

[woodyguy]

Thanks for posting this. Interesting and explains why many non related trees like say beech and hornbeam can produce superficially very similar looking plants.

 

I just find it annoying when they write up science for dummies in a very simplistic way and don't even give the reference for the original study so that you can read the whole thing.

[coppiceer]

Very interesting. I wonder if something similar happens in the root system and has an effect on the size and spread of roots in addition to the other physical barriers.

[Matt GT]

Thanks for posting this. Interesting and explains why many non related trees like say beech and hornbeam can produce superficially very similar looking plants.

 

I just find it annoying when they write up science for dummies in a very simplistic way and don't even give the reference for the original study so that you can read the whole thing.

 

Yeah I was bugged at the lack of a reference back to the original study as well!

[RobArb]

It's more to do with water transport than you think

 

Sent from my Galaxy S2

[Mark J]

I read about this on Why trees can't grow taller than 100 metres - life - 16 January 2013 - New Scientist. There's a link to the original study on there I think.

[woodyguy]

Thanks for link. Can read the short abstract but the rest is hidden behind a paid fire wall, as so often the case. Frustrating!

[fagus]

Thanks for sharing.

 

Interesting, shows that when trees are in decline with smaller leaves, they produce less sugar and it will decline further as the growth sugars produced will also be slowed getting around the tree making the situation worse.

 

I guess feeding will help in these situations.