How tree branches are attached to trunks

[KTSmith]

Of course, both illustrations are static 2-D representations of 4-D processes. My quibble with the lower image from Prof. Mattheck is not the image but the labeling. The "bifurcated" stem wood is only bifurcated after adding a heavy mechanical stress. It is not at all bifurcated in the happy, healthy tree. The "branch tail" is the stemwood with the direct connecting flowpath into the branch. Calling it a branch tail is fine, I know what is meant, it's just stemwood. Perhaps we (including me) are trying to put to fine a point on these useful, but limited, cartoons.

[daltontrees]

I am leaning towards a hybrid of the two models that overcomes my problem with the Shigo model but looks more realistic than the Mattheck one. I have so many things on just now that I haven't the time to get the microtome out and make some thin sections. Spring would be best anyway, to try and catch a few growing sections.

[MWArb]

Found this.. thought you guys would like it

[woodchipperer]

On 08/01/2014 at 07:13, daltontrees said:

No, it was just generalised cynicism. Forget it, I am just a bit of a grump sometimes and the Slater article always came across to me as not particularly constructive.

I find this comment really interesting - and summing up of a generation of arborists I've encountered. Slater's article is about opening doors to more study - about recognising a vast number of studies and scientists work. It's about recognising the limitations of past thinking and moving forward.

 

I think it's one of the finest arb articles I've read in my 6 year career - and it's moved things on considerably. Matthecks publication of a model in 2013-2015, having apparently paid no attention to Slater's work further shows how important it was for someone like Slater to punch outside the box that everyone was trapped in.

 

Bloody good on him I say. Upset the apple cart to get the horse moving!

[daltontrees]

This debate was nearly a decade ago. Can you remind me pelase which Slater article you are talking about?