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TREE Fund Grant to Support Tree Biomechanics Week
The structural and biological response of trees under stress will be the focus of Tree Biomechanics Week, an intensive field study project and research symposium scheduled for August 21-28 in Ohio, supported in part by a grant from the TREE Fund. Researchers, practicing arborists, and students will convene at The Davey Tree Experts’ research arboretum and farm in Shalersville, Ohio, to study how trees respond mechanically and biologically to loads and other stressors. The goal is to increase understanding of how trees successfully respond to mechanical stress, and what causes them to fail. Whole-tree strength, branch strength and load-bearing capacity of intact, healthy trees will be tested against those showing signs of decay, growth defects, root loss or soil disturbance. The stress capacities of specific species will be examined, as will the effects of pruning on tree and branch stability. Other research topics are currently under development, and the week is expected to result in multiple peer-reviewed research papers and long-term collaborative research on related subjects. Also proposed for Tree Biomechanics Week is a symposium for practicing arborists to be hosted by ISA at Kent State University. Participating fieldstudy researchers will be invited to present to the symposium attendees their current or past research findings relevant to tree biomechanics. As many as 125 arborists are expected to attend. Tree Biomechanics Week is a collaborative project conceived by Davey, ISA and BioCompliance Consulting, Inc., made possible in part by a $10,000 grant from the TREE Fund. Individual and corporate donors are invited to support this project with a check or an online donation. - § - |
