© 1988 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Support costs of different branch designs: effects of position, number, angle and deflection of laterals
J. Morgan (1) and M. G. R. Cannell (2)
1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JU, Scotland / 2. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, Scotland / Received June 24, 1988
Summary
The structural theory for cantilever beams was used to calculate the dry weight of wood that a branch of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. must produce to support its own weight plus that of laterals in different positions and numbers, and with different
angles and deflections. The endpoint of the branch was maintained at 2% of its length, and constant values or functions (measured
on real branches) were assumed for Young’s modulus, taper and self weights of wood and foliage.
Support costs (branch wood dry weights) were minimized when laterals were positioned so that the center of gravity was close
to the base of the branch, and when the branch was angled upward from the horizontal. Small savings in support costs also
resulted when laterals were not forward pointing, were angled upward and had endpoint deflections of at least 20% of their
length.
