Relation between length and diameter of Pinus radiata branches

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to construct a model for the architecture of branches in Pinus radiata D. Don and to use it as a part of a modelling effort to relate timber quality as a function of growth and development. Diameter of branches at the insertion point and their length were measured from two types of branches on 2127 normal, healthy and growing branches of different ages, on 15-year-old radiata pine growing in a good and medium productive site in Chile, in stands that either were left without management or had been thinned and pruned. Statistical analysis showed a simple linear relationship between length and diameter with a common proportionality coefficient (slope) in both types of branches, different sites and management regimens. The equation for order 2 branches differed from that of order 3 branches only in the intercept. The results suggest that the uniform linear relationship between branch length and branch diameter could be applied to radiata pine stands of different site fertility and management regimens.