Wood for trees 2: biomechanics & tree hydraulics

Biophysical specifications for trees

Mechanics of a shaft subjected to gravity

Shaft hydraulics

Mechanics of the shaft under external loading

Integrative biophysics of trees

Biophysical adaptations and wood quality

The "Biomechanics and Hydraulics of Trees" EU aims to teach the functions of wood in trees (mechanics and hydraulics) in order to understand how the diversity of wood microstructures and variations in wood quality are adaptive responses to the biophysical stresses that apply to trees.

• Know the biophysical constraints that apply to the tree in operation

Mechanics: elastic stability, postural control, wind resistance, and other factors

Hydraulics: transport, drought resistance

• Understanding the mechanisms that enable trees to respond to these stresses

Juvenile wood, reaction wood, segmentation/redundancy

• Knowing how to measure wood properties and integrate them to obtain the biophysical properties of the tree

3-point bending, specific conductivity

• Understanding the biological significance of variations in wood properties