Larry:
Trees do get moisture from condensation of fog, but its not always
foggy and the foliage at the top of trees has to get through the driest
and hottest period each summer without being permanently damaged.
Gravity determines how hard to tree has to pull to get water to the top,
but that is approximately equal for all trees, since the strength of
gravity depends on the mass of the earth, and there is not a significant
difference in strength of gravity between the bottom and top of even the
tallest trees. The buckling limit (max height a tree could reach in the
absence of wind, the height at which the weight of the tree would cause
it to buckle under its own weight), depends on gravity and the
mechanical properties of the wood of each species. Most species could
be 2-3 times as tall as they are before the buckling limit would come
into play. To accommodate wind, trees stay well below the buckling
limit in height. The trees in the southern Appalachians cove forests
approach the buckling limit the closest, with their tall heights and
high height:diameter ratios compared to northern trees and trees more
exposed to weather in more open situations.
Lee
Larry wrote:
Lee, Cool articles. I have one question for you, well two. The first -
Doesn't a tree also get mositure at the top from rain, humidity,
fog.., etc. Two- Does gravity also play a role in how tall a tree
could get? Thanks, Larry
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