Interesting Biomechanics

[sean]

Ash?

 

 

That's a cracker Sean

 

Cassian Humphreys calls it Braided Reaction Wood

 

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It was actually on an Oak David....fantastic coastal wood in Cornwall.....

 

The braided reation wood link doesnt appear to be working.

[David Humphries]

Not really seen it here on oak that I can remember

Ash, hornbeam and birch mostly.

 

Try this one sean

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Specialised%20Self%20Optimisation%20of%20Gum%20Trees%20-%20Braided%20Reaction%20Wood.....pdf

 

 

 

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[sean]

Not really seen it hear on oak that I can remember, ash, hornbeam and birch mostly.

 

Try this one sean

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Specialised%20Self%20Optimisation%20of%20Gum%20Trees%20-%20Braided%20Reaction%20Wood.....pdf

 

 

 

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cheers mate

[David Humphries]

a very well inosculated, ligthning struck twin stemmed oak

 

 

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[treeseer]

a very well inosculated, ligthning struck twin stemmed oak

 

 

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Inosculated; nice, thanks for expanding my vocabulary!

 

did the other stem get hit too? how long ago? not much response visible yet (from here )

 

Is it worth assessing?

Lightning TCI 2007.pdf

[David Humphries]

Just the one stem was subjected to the strike, Guy

 

 

it's a neighbouring sites tree, not ours. So just a passing observation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[daltontrees]

Not really seen it here on oak that I can remember

Ash, hornbeam and birch mostly.

 

Try this one sean

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Specialised%20Self%20Optimisation%20of%20Gum%20Trees%20-%20Braided%20Reaction%20Wood.....pdf

 

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Sorry for jumping in, but just wanted to say thanks for the link, it was a good read over breakfast. The article refers to work by D. Lonsdale. I don't recall him calling it anythiung specific. The term Braided seems very apt. However, until it is demonstrated that the extra wood in this braided form is there as a partial or entire self-optimising reaction to loads I would be hesitant to use the word Reaction too. After all, it may be a growth abnormality. So, Braided Wood seems a good term.

 

The problem I have always had in trying to understand it is that where vessels cross, something has to give. The way that trees cope with this at side limb unions or even at the inside of forks is as far as I know not well understood. Braiding presents a fascinating theoretical and actual dilemma for the tree to manage the crossing of vessels and the additional of annual incrementsi. My hunch is that if it has any self-optimising outcome it is the avoidance of unnecessary bulk in the interbraid areas rathe than additional strength in the braids.

 

Someday I would love to have a braided tree that has already been marked for removal and inject the braids at the base with dyes then dissect it.

[daltontrees]

Here's a lovely example of spiral structure. I would only be speculating about species, as the tree has been dead a long time.

[TGB]

Is it just me or does that third photo look like the broken toe of a gigantic raptor?

[daltontrees]

Is it just me or does that third photo look like the broken toe of a gigantic raptor?

 

With veruccas.