Tree failure is an international problem,a major risk to public safety,and of growing concern because of extreme weather events.Tree biomechanics can inform the probability of tree failure,but empirical data from trop...Tree failure is an international problem,a major risk to public safety,and of growing concern because of extreme weather events.Tree biomechanics can inform the probability of tree failure,but empirical data from tropical settings are scarce.As a case study,we analyze the biomechanics(safety factor)of large heritage trees in public spaces in Indonesia.We examined critical buckling height using the Euler and Ylinen bending stress method.Tree morphometry(height,diameter at breast height,crown diameter),stability(modulus of elasticity),critical buckling height,and safety factor were quantified during this study.We found that large heritage trees in public spaces with buttresses have taller and larger morphometry and higher trunk and crown weights than small trees without buttresses.These trees are highly stable against external pressure.The presence of buttresses protects the target tree from rain and wind,resulting in a higher critical buckling height(H_(cr))of large(58.9 m)and buttressed target trees(58.8)than small(33.5 m)and unbuttressed trees(42.6 m),and a safety factor level of 68%safer.We make recommendations for selecting and managing trees in public spaces in a way that(i)can enhance wellbeing and biodiversity in urban planning,and(ii)is informed by risk to public safety.展开更多
文摘Tree failure is an international problem,a major risk to public safety,and of growing concern because of extreme weather events.Tree biomechanics can inform the probability of tree failure,but empirical data from tropical settings are scarce.As a case study,we analyze the biomechanics(safety factor)of large heritage trees in public spaces in Indonesia.We examined critical buckling height using the Euler and Ylinen bending stress method.Tree morphometry(height,diameter at breast height,crown diameter),stability(modulus of elasticity),critical buckling height,and safety factor were quantified during this study.We found that large heritage trees in public spaces with buttresses have taller and larger morphometry and higher trunk and crown weights than small trees without buttresses.These trees are highly stable against external pressure.The presence of buttresses protects the target tree from rain and wind,resulting in a higher critical buckling height(H_(cr))of large(58.9 m)and buttressed target trees(58.8)than small(33.5 m)and unbuttressed trees(42.6 m),and a safety factor level of 68%safer.We make recommendations for selecting and managing trees in public spaces in a way that(i)can enhance wellbeing and biodiversity in urban planning,and(ii)is informed by risk to public safety.
