How high can a tree grow?

The world's tallest trees, redwoods, California stands firmly as high as 379 feet or 116 meters. The height is slightly longer than a football field.

Past redwood tree that has been cut may be higher than currently available. It may be theoretically have reached the maximum height for a tree.

Is there a height limit of a tree? The two main opposing forces affecting the height of the tree. One pushed upward, while the other forces holding it down.

By analyzing the interaction between these forces, a team of biologists led by George Koch of Northern Arizona University, in theory calculate the maximum height of a tree. In the sense of the word, the point where the balance of opposing forces out and the tree stops growing. It turned out that it lies between 400 and 426 feet (122 and 130 meters).

On the one hand, researchers found the trees in the forest "has a desire" to grow as high as possible and overtake neighboring trees in order to get full sun. On the other hand, the force of gravity makes it difficult to transport water from roots or shoots to the top of the tree and leaf.

At a certain height, the energy released through photosynthesis in the leaves (in the case of redwoods are the tree tops) to be ineffective to bring the water upward. As a result, the tree stops growing.

Trees that grow high increase stress on the leaves because of the resistance of gravity and a long way to rising waters. These conditions can limit leaf expansion and photosynthesis for trees to grow higher. This limit is located above 400 feet.

Indeed, many factors to achieve extreme altitude on redwood, Northern California's climate began to warm, nutrient-rich soil, abundant rainfall, the fog, which rises up to form a tree to reach sunlight. *** [LIVESCIENCE|KORAN TEMPO 3567]