Mechanics of the compression wood response: I. Preliminary analyses

Righting of two tilted white pine (Pinus strobus L.) stem leaders by compression wood formation was followed for 16 weeks. The natural curves and three deflection curves under added end loads were determined from weekly field photographs. Data for self-loading and cross sectional diameters were interpolated from original estimated and final measurements. A mechanical-mathematical model was developed to predict curves under zero gravity for each stem each week. The model estimated stiffness of the leaders independently for each week, and the stiffnesses were consistent throughout the experiment. A second model was developed to simulate the deflection curves assumed when the zero gravity curves were subjected to different end loads. These predicted curves were nearly identical to the observed curves from the photographs, thus verifying the assumptions in the first model. Data from this study will be used to investigate the mechanical aspects of compression wood induction and action as the stem is bent upward toward the vertical.