Université de Fribourg

Three-dimensional analysis of the anatomical growth response of European conifers to mechanical disturbance

Schneuwly, Dominique M. ; Stoffel, Markus ; Dorren, Luuk K.A. ; Berger, Frédéric

In: Tree Physiology, 2009///doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpp056

Studies on tree reaction after wounding were so far based on artificial wounding or chemical treatment. For the first time, type, spread and intensity of anatomical responses were analyzed and quantified in naturally disturbed Larix decidua Mill., Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Abies alba Mill. trees. The consequences of rockfall impacts on increment growth were assessed at the height of the wounds,...

Université de Fribourg

Fresh-stem bending of silver fir and Norway spruce

Lundström, Tor ; Stoffel, Markus ; Stöckli, Veronika

In: Tree Physiology, 2008, vol. 28, no. 3, p. 355-366

The bending and growth characteristics of large fresh stems from four silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and three Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees were studied. Twenty logs taken from different stem heights were subjected to four-point bending tests. From the bending test records, we calculated stress–strain curves, which accounted for detailed log taper, shear deformation and self...