ISSN:
1432-2285
Keywords:
Stem defect
;
Tree breakage
;
Wood engineering
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Stems of trees hollowed by agents such as fungal decay, fire or termites have reduced strength and increased likelihood of breakage. This may pose a serious hazard when hollow trees are growing near public places. Previous theoretical studies and field studies of hollow trees, of both hardwood and softwood species, in Europe and America have suggested rules to quantify the risk of breakage of hollow trees. These rules are confirmed and expanded here, using data collected from hollow trees of several species of the hardwood genus Eucalyptus in Australia. It is concluded that where the ratio of the minimum wall thickness of a stem hollow to the total radius of the hollow exceeds 0.3–0.35 and at least one-half of the girth of the tree stem is intact, it is extremely unlikely that the stem of the hollow tree will break. These rules appear to apply for a wide range of tree species throughout the world.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00197869
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