Title: Tropical branch attachment strength study in Singapore

Summary: Branch junctions of five tropical hard wood tree species with branch diameters from 0.6 to 6.8 inches (1.5 to 17.2 cm) were pulled in vivo from their attachment branches. The peak force needed to break 300 branches, angle of branch attachment, and diameters of branches and attachment branches were recorded for each species. Results were compared with 2007 findings by Smiley et al using very small branches with diameters from 0.008 to .05 inches (0.5 to 1.2 mm). This study re-determines how well branch attachment strength is correlated with diameter ratios and how the angle of branch attachment is a good predictor to break branches of tropical hardwoods.

Fong Yok King, Ph.D., National Parks Board, CUGE, Singapore, Singapore

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