The height of trees

[HydrogenBond]

This topic may have been presented a while back. It is still interesting. The question is, what sets the limit on the height that various types of trees can grow? An easy answer is genetics.

 

A more analytical answer has to do with hydraulic pressure. When a tree pumps water to great heights there is a back pressure at the trunk. The pressure is higher at the roots, but the lateral bursting pressure is countered by the support of the surrounding soil. Because of this practical imitation, trees will tend to branch laterally to increase surface area. This increases the volume of water that is pumped but does not affect the pressure head experienced by the trunk. The pressure head and the make-up of the trunk's bark set the limits for a tree.

[Turtle]

This topic may have been presented a while back. It is still interesting. The question is, what sets the limit on the height that various types of trees can grow?

 

I found an article related to your question:

 

 

For California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), the tug of gravity and the friction between the water and the vessels through which it flows mean that fluid cannot be dragged any higher than 122-130 metres, the researchers connclude in this week's Nature1.

http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040419/full/040419-5.html;jsessionid=92A8BE36560E8959B7ABA52544504BC4

:shrug:

[Bobo]

Tree hieght is a genetic trait, one that has been selected for. Trees grow to specific heights beased on the niche's they fill. Natural succession of land will have a variety of faster growing tress initially, but they slowly succumb to slower growing trees due to structual issues (faster vert. growth limits the amout of resourcres to be put into root systems, trunk girth, etc. causing a faster growing tree to be more prone to physical damage). Along with this leaf structure also plays a role by maximizing sunlight absorbtion bellow the upper canopy.