PERCEPTION OF TREE CANOPY

Abstract

Deciduous tree canopy was investigated in relation to perception of fecundity and visual attractiveness. Canopy having deliquescent shape was defined by season (in leaf or in branch), fullness (amount of leaf and amount of branch) and, in the case of summer trees, combinations of leaf and branch (balance of leaf to branch). Applying the Gestalt principle of closure or completeness, three hypotheses were derived. These were (1) trees with the most complete (strongest) canopies will be the most attractive; (2) trees in bare branch will be less attractive than trees in leaf, and (3) the attractiveness of a tree in leaf will depend upon the amount of leaf in relation to amount of branch. The study required participants (n=239) and rate 12 computer-generated images of bare branch and leafed tree stimuli. Ratings were made on six scales measuring perception of fecundity and six bi-polar scales measuring attractiveness. Results confirmed hypotheses 1 and 2, and provided partial support for hypothesis 3. Supplementary analysis indicated that leaf accounted for more variance than branch. It was concluded that perception of the fecundity and visual attractiveness of a tree reflects the completeness of its canopy. The Gestalt principle of closure was linked to prospect-refuge theory and suggested to be a vestige of evolutionary development and germane to the notion of biophilia.