Evergreen trees – such as spruces, pines and firs – have the shape of a pyramid. Why?
Evergreen trees – which are known collectively as conifers – often grow in places that have severe winters. An evergreen tree’s shape does help keep wet, heavy snow off its upper branches.
Conifers also tend to have shallow roots. In other words, they lack long, sturdy tap roots. So they’re subject to being knocked down by wind. Their shape reduces wind resistance and helps keep the tree standing upright. What’s more, the trees are mostly needle-leaved or scale-leaved, instead of having broad, flat leaves. The shape of the leaves is also an advantage in climates that sometimes feature abrasive, blowing ice crystals.
The tree’s shape also lets it get more light, because the top branches don’t shade the bottom ones. The major branches of conifers are layered, with an open area between the layers. This helps wind pass through, and it helps the tree get enough light, especially when sunlight comes in at a low angle, as it does during the winter months.
Those who admire the shape of a Christmas tree might like to know that its shape has evolved in response to wind, snow, and light.
What was the Christmas tree before it evolved into a pyramid shaped Christmas tree?
I would like to know that to!!!!
This is a realy cool article! Please find out more about these trees?!
Thank you for posting this wonderful article! It helped me with my science homework!
Me too!
La forma piramidal de las coníferas (Pinacea family) se debe a un fenómeno denominado Dominancia Apical, ejercido por una hormona AIA (ACIDO INDOL ACÉTICO) que se sintetiza en el ápice caulinar, radicular y órganos jovenes, que se contrapone a la hormona CITOQUININA, que es entre otros factores el crecimiento de las ramas laterales. Este efecto se observa en todos los vegetales, sólo que en los pinos, por sus caratcterísticas de Monocaule, lo hace destacar la forma piramidal.
De hecho si se les corta el ápice caulinar, las ramas laterales crecerán, hasta que una de ellas tome el liderazgo y retome la forma piramidal. Es una de las bases de la poda frutal. (ES UN PROCESO MÁS COMPLEJO DE EXPLICAR, ESTO ES UNA EXPLICACIÓN MUY SUPERFICIAL)
Son muchos los factores que hacen que los pinos crezcan en medios de bajas temperaturas y algunos mucho más importantes como son el tipo de haces conductores. Sería largo de explicar todo científicamente. Pero me parece válido corregir un concepto no errado, pero si muy superficial.
VERÓNICA LETICIA PAVEZ CASELLA
INGENIERO AGRÓNOMO
DOCENTE UNIVERSITARIO FISIOLOGÍA VEGETAL Y BOTÁNICA
I also think the shape has something to do with the electromagnetic field pulsing across the earth. As I understand it electric energy runs perpendicular to the magnetic field so if the magnetic field runs horizontal electricity will run vertical or down. The shape of the tree may act like a vary efficient beacon to collect this energy. I think we got our inspiration for our radio satellite dishes from trees. Take a look at a radio telescope or whatever its called and the top of a christmas tree. Look similar?