Abstract
Summary Trees are characterized by an optimum adaptation of their inner architecture to the loads and stresses which occur. 1. The wood fibres in the tree rings are aligned with the force flow. The shear between the fibres is minimized in that way.2. The wood rays provide the highest radial transverse strength where the risk of cleavage is greatest.3. The wood fibres are glued best by their “lignin chimneys” where the risk of longitudinal cleavage (“banana crack”) is greatest.4. Tangentially, the wood rays are compressed most by tangential growth stresses where the risk of “banana cracking” is greatest, i.e. where the spindle-shaped ray cross-sections are exposed to the greatest transverse tension. Quintessence: The quality of wood is highest where the tree is exposed to the greatest risks and hazards, i.e. where it is subjected to the highest internal stresses. The wood rays and fibres are relieved through growth stresses where the risk of failure is greatest. It follows that growth stresses counteract external stresses exactly where the latter are highest and most critical.
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