Wood for the tree 2: biomechanics and tree hydraulics

Biophysical specifications for the tree

Mechanics of the shaft subjected to gravity

Shaft hydraulics

Shaft mechanics under external loading

Integrative biophysics of the tree

Biophysical adaptations and wood quality

The "Biomechanics and hydraulics of the tree" course aims to teach the functions of wood in the tree (mechanical and hydraulic), with the aim of understanding how the diversity of wood microstructures and variations in wood quality are adaptive responses to the biophysical constraints applied to the tree.

• Know the biophysical constraints that apply to trees in operation

Mechanical: elastic stability, postural control, wind resistance, etc.

Hydraulics: transport, drought resistance

• Understanding the mechanisms that enable the tree to respond to these constraints

Juvenile wood, reaction wood, segmentation/redundancy

• Know how to measure wood properties and integrate them to obtain the tree's biophysical properties.

3-point bending, specific conductivity

• Understanding the biological significance of variations in wood properties