Direction of tree growth

[hagar]

When a tree grows even at an angle on a hill side it mostly remains vertical . What is at play here to cause the vertical direction of growth ?

Thank you,

Pat Hagar

 

[256bits]

I bet it is something simple, such as the influence of gravity.

 

[DaveC426913]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitropism

 

[rootone]

In addition to which many plants will orientate new growth in a manner which enables maximum collection of light.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phototropism

 

[Silicon Waffle]

And this shows that they may be able to grow wherever possible.

 

[hagar]

Thanks to all for the information. The links were very informative. It would seem the behavior is controlled by both gravity and light however I have a difficult time considering gravity "simple", lol.

Respectfully,

Pat Hagar

 

[256bits]

And this shows that they may be able to grow wherever possible.

That is just odd. The guy must have been shining a flashlight down his throat to keep it lit. Is the guy so sure he didn't just swallow a bit of fir tree and thought it was a large bug?

 

[jim mcnamara]

I did not see this thread until it 'diverged' from reality.

Plants have a phototropic and a geotropic response mediated by plant hormones (auxins). In the absence of light (think germination in the soil) gravity dictates up and down for the plant. When light becomes available, it takes precendence to some extent over gravity. This is why plants under a single light source will grow toward the light -> at an angle producing more leaves and branches on the "lit" side.

Severe environmental condtions also affect growth habit.

Krumholz and flag trees are the effect of either/or salt spray and strong very cold prevailing wind direction. See the pictures here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krummholz

Trees in arctic conditions are often nanistic, where the tree branches die back to beneath the snow-level. So you see dwarf trees that have fat, very short branches with lots of dead wood above a foot or so. http://www.flora.dempstercountry.org/V.A.2.Salicaceae/Salix.arcti/Salix.arcti.pic5.jpg

Witches broom is a disease condition of trees that affects tree growth - it looks like a bad hair day for the tree. The wood supporting some of these growths is called burl. It is prized for bowl turners. Causes vary but usually are related to insect vectors and environmental effects. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden....ests-and-problems/diseases/witches-broom.aspx

 

[DaveC426913]

Krumholz and flag trees are the effect of either/or salt spray and strong very cold prevailing wind direction. See the pictures here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krummholz

Maybe you have the answer to a mystery I found.

Down near Point Pelee, on Lake Erie, there is a forest where a whole section of trees, most as much as a foot thick, whose trunks go straight up for about two feet, then veer 90 degrees to horizontal for another few feet, then turn vertical again. The deflections all point the same direction (I forget what compass heading).

My best guess is a heavy snowfall bent them all over when they were mere shoots, but they would have had to hold them there for several seasons to be as long as they are.

Ideas?

 

[jim mcnamara]

https://books.google.com/books?id=DXYKAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=large+group+of+trees+bent+in+the+same+direction&source=bl&ots=H9jrAKvVrO&sig=cmK0CreNpYWda4vM2hAxMIa8eq0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAmoVChMIrsiK6Ov0xgIVglGICh0sFwbF#v=onepage&q=large group of trees bent in the same direction&f=false
This book sample discusses the same thing. One of the guys in graduate school with me claimed that slump was the cause of this. I do not know for sure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slump_(geology)

Here is a picture - the story claims human intervention.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...Fantasy-woodland-come-straight-fairytale.html

 

[hagar]

Thanks again to all. This information adds a lot to what has already been posted.

Respectfully,

Pat Hagar

 

[256bits]

Genetic mutation is the reason given for the Saskatchewan's Crooked Bush, for an aspen oddity that grows in all directions.
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~remphre/crooked.shtml