Water, upper limit of trees

2004/06/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Botanika

Some American biologists calculate the maximum theoretical height that trees can reach. They had to do a hard practical job at first. In fact, they have had to scale several Northern California sequoias to collect the data.

The highest branches of the world have seen that leaves have great difficulties in getting water. It is believed that these leaves live in a continuous drought, although the soil of the area is very humid.

According to scientists, water collection capacity is the main limiting factor in tree growth. Taking into account gravity and friction between water and transport pipes, they have calculated that water cannot be transported above 122-130 meters, so they have placed the upper limit of the trees. However, climate changes, fires, or other events may cause this height to not be reached. The highest tree known today has a length of 112 meters.