Wood for Tree 2: Biomechanics & Hydraulics of Trees

Biophysical Specifications for the Tree

Mechanics of a Shaft Subjected to Gravity

Shaft Hydraulics

Mechanics of a Shaft Under External Load

Integrative Biophysics of the Tree

Biophysical Adaptations and Wood Quality

The EU course “Biomechanics and Hydraulics of the Tree” aims to teach students about the functions of wood within the tree (mechanical and hydraulic) in order to understand how the diversity of wood microstructures and variations in wood quality are adaptive responses to the biophysical stresses acting on the tree.

• Understand the biophysical constraints that affect the tree during its active life

Mechanics: elastic stability, postural control, wind resistance, and others

Hydrology: transport, drought resistance

• Understand the mechanisms that enable the tree to respond to these stresses

Juvenile wood, reaction wood, segmentation/redundancy

• Knowing how to measure the properties of wood and use them to determine the biophysical properties of the tree

3-point bending, specific conductivity

• Understanding the Biological Significance of Variations in Wood Properties