Preliminary Course
Botany. Architectural Analysis
An Example.
Wild Cherry Tree (mature)
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Architectural Analysis of the Wild cherry (Prunus avium L. Rosaceae), cont.
Mature Tree
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The tree continues its development according to this pattern for numerous years
and may reach a height of 20 to 25 metres under forest conditions, with a small crown
similar to that of a young tree, and still conforms to its architectural unit (fig. 5b).
As the tree becomes older, some branches located in the upper part of the tree become larger and similar in structure to the main stem (fig. 5c and fig. 6b).
This morphological transformation results from a duplication of the initial architectural unit and corresponds to a reiteration process that is involved in the mature tree crown construction.
At this stage, the tree reaches its maximal height (fig. 5d).
The process of duplication continues and the crown of an old tree is built up by numerous forks consisting of ultimate axes made of short shoots (fig. 6c).
At this time the sagging of limbs of the crown results in the formation of the tabular-shape crown. After 18 to 20 years these axes die.
New structures then take place from latent buds located on the well-developed branches and appear progressively closer to the point of branch insertion as the tree ages.
Floriferous structures may derive from buds associated to those scars which are limiting the shoots.
This ultimate process determines the senescent phase of the tree.
The Wild Cherry Tree sequence of development
Figure 5. Diagram of the Wild Cherry sequence of development in a forest environment. (ultimate axes are not drawn)
a : young vegetative tree;
b : young tree conforms to its elementary architecture;
c: construction of the mature crown which becomes rounder;
d : adult tree exhibiting a tabular-shape crown.
(Y. Caraglio, CIRAD)
Figure 6. Young (a), adult (b) and old Wild Cherry trees (c) in a forest environment.
(Drawings Y. Caraglio, CIRAD)