How to Build the Tallest Tree

Redwood trees and their beauty can be seen by everyone with their own unique perspective. Their grandeur can be enjoyed by folks from every walk of life. At this talk, we will be focusing on how mechanical engineers, physicists, and plant morphologists view redwoods by embarking on an hour-long discussion of the construction of these plants. We will examine redwood architecture from small to large scales and answer the following questions. How do different heights and different light factors affect needle size? How are redwood needles and branches arranged to maximize light availability and overall photosynthesis? Do branches communicate with each other? What is the maximum height of a tree? Do trees have a maximum volume? How does competition affect tree form? Can trees perceive their center of gravity and adjust accordingly? We will also discuss to what extent plants have “intelligence,” and what “intelligence” might look like without a brain.