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A Simple Planting Technique for Re-establishing Trees Where Frequent Inundation Occurs
Published on: January 26, 2018
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Conjoining Trees for the Provision of Living Architecture in Future Cities: A Long-Term Inosculation Study
Max D Mylo1,2,3, Ferdinand Ludwig4, Mohammad A Rahman5
1Plant Biomechanics Group @ Botanic Garden Freiburg, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Architects use living trees for urban nature-based solutions. This study analyzes tree stem inosculations, finding diameter differences above conjoined points can indicate water exchange capacity.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning and sustainable architecture
- Arboreal biology and plant anatomy
- Nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation
Background:
- Climate change necessitates innovative urban environmental solutions.
- Architects are exploring living trees as architectural elements.
- Understanding tree stem fusion (inosculation) is crucial for its application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze stem diameter changes in conjoined trees.
- To develop a tool for assessing water exchange in fused stems.
- To compare the anatomical structure of inosculations and branch junctions.
Main Methods:
- Measuring stem diameters below and above inosculation in five tree species.
- Statistical analysis of diameter ratios.
- Anatomical studies, micro-computed tomography, and 3D reconstructions.
Main Results:
- Platanus × hispanica and Salix alba showed no significant diameter difference below inosculation.
- S. alba exhibited significant diameter differences above inosculation, unlike P. × hispanica.
- Inosculations and branch junctions share common annual rings, enhancing water exchange.
Conclusions:
- A decision tree based on diameter ratios can predict water exchange in fused stems.
- Anatomical analysis reveals distinct cellular arrangements in inosculations versus branch junctions.
- Tree inosculation offers potential for developing living architectural structures with improved water transport.
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