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How do some trees grow so tall? This Veritasium video I think got it wrong.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 9:28 am
Posted on 5/3/21 at 9:28 am
Derek, who is a physics guy on YT poses the question of how do some trees have the ability to grow so tall? After all, we are only able to pull a suction on a tube to a maximum height of approximately 34 feet. Over 34 feet the water in the tube vaporizes due to the vacuum. It boils.
In his video Derik explains that in liquids you can go lower than vacuum pressures. This is just not correct.
Where is Derek's mistake? He is not taking into account the ground pressure on the tree's root system. In fresh water every 2.31 feet you go under the water 1 pound per square inch is place on you. It's why your ears pop at the deep end of the pool.
Now through transpiration the leaves on trees are able to lift water 34 feet. They can grow taller because of their root system. You can get a very good estimate of how deep a trees root system is simply by looking at it's height. The formula for that is tree height minus approximately 34 feet. It's probably minus more than 34 feet because the density of soil/water combination is higher than just water alone and can provide more of a squeeze on the root system to push up the water.
But this does not answer the question about California Redwoods. California Redwoods grow approximately 300 feet tall. Yes they do have deep roots systems but not deep enough to feed a tree 300 feet tall. Red Wood trees get most of their water from the top down. They rely on the very reliable morning fog that rolls in off the Pacific every morning and they absorb the water through their leaf system for life.
Anyway, had to get that off my chest...
In his video Derik explains that in liquids you can go lower than vacuum pressures. This is just not correct.
Where is Derek's mistake? He is not taking into account the ground pressure on the tree's root system. In fresh water every 2.31 feet you go under the water 1 pound per square inch is place on you. It's why your ears pop at the deep end of the pool.
Now through transpiration the leaves on trees are able to lift water 34 feet. They can grow taller because of their root system. You can get a very good estimate of how deep a trees root system is simply by looking at it's height. The formula for that is tree height minus approximately 34 feet. It's probably minus more than 34 feet because the density of soil/water combination is higher than just water alone and can provide more of a squeeze on the root system to push up the water.
But this does not answer the question about California Redwoods. California Redwoods grow approximately 300 feet tall. Yes they do have deep roots systems but not deep enough to feed a tree 300 feet tall. Red Wood trees get most of their water from the top down. They rely on the very reliable morning fog that rolls in off the Pacific every morning and they absorb the water through their leaf system for life.
Anyway, had to get that off my chest...
This post was edited on 5/3/21 at 10:32 am
6
Posted on 5/3/21 at 9:29 am to GumboPot
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:05 am to GumboPot
quote:
But this does not answer the question about California Redwoods. California Redwoods grow approximately 300 feet tall. Yes they do have deep roots systems but not deep enough to feed a tree 300 feet tall. Red Wood trees get most of their water from the top down. They rely on the very reliable morning fog that rolls in off the Pacific every morning and they absorb the water through their leaf system for life.
you answered it yourself.they get most of their water from the air, the fog/mist off of the pacific ocean. the climate their is perfect for that type of tree, thats why they are only found in that particular place.
This post was edited on 5/3/21 at 10:11 am
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:08 am to Emteein
quote:
they get most of their water from the air, the fog/mist off of the pacific ocean.
Right. It's why they can grow so tall. I visited the Muir Woods and got the story from the park ranger.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:15 am to Emteein
Correct.
This is why the tallest are named "Coastal Redwoods"
Sequoias aren't as tall, but more girth.
...Much more.
This is why the tallest are named "Coastal Redwoods"
Sequoias aren't as tall, but more girth.
...Much more.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:16 am to GumboPot
quote:
How do some trees grow so tall?
Natural selection to get higher than the brontosauruses.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:21 am to Kingpenm3
quote:
Natural selection to get higher than the brontosauruses.
I get what you are saying but in the Veritasium video Derik makes up new physics for the mechanism for tall trees to get water to their top leaves. He is simply incorrect and I explained why in the OP.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:22 am to GumboPot
From my understanding, the magic is in the cells. Trees pull water up from the cell below, each cell is a closed reservoir. Don't think of it as one long hose from root to leaf, but thousands of "tanks" that pump water from the tank directly below. This is why a cut to a tree doesn't drain the whole column above it.
Also interesting is how trees are made of carbon derived from the CO2 they collect. The carbon from the air builds the tree as opposed to the tree collecting it from the soil. That's why there is not a big depression in the ground under the tree.
Also interesting is how trees are made of carbon derived from the CO2 they collect. The carbon from the air builds the tree as opposed to the tree collecting it from the soil. That's why there is not a big depression in the ground under the tree.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:26 am to GumboPot
quote:
Where is Derik's mistake? He is not taking into account the ground pressure on the tree's root system. In fresh water every 2.31 feet you go under the water 1 pound per square inch is place on you. It's why your ears pop at the deep end of the pool.
Did you start a thread just to prove a guy named Derik wrong?
Does he post here?
What am I missing?
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:30 am to eatpie
quote:
From my understanding, the magic is in the cells. Trees pull water up from the cell below, each cell is a closed reservoir. Don't think of it as one long hose from root to leaf, but thousands of "tanks" that pump water from the tank directly below. This is why a cut to a tree doesn't drain the whole column above it.
Nah. The reason the water does not drain out when a tree is cut is surface tension. Xylem tubes are 20-50 micrometers thick. It's the same reason sponges hold water.
Transpiration will get the water up 34 feet. Any taller the water needs a squeeze from the root system. The root system gets the squeeze from the head pressure due to ground and water on top of it since the xylem tubes are a closed system from the root tip to the tree leaf.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:33 am to 0x15E
quote:
Did you start a thread just to prove a guy named Derik wrong?
Nah. Honest mistake. I coached a kid in T-Ball that spelled it with an "i".
quote:
What am I missing?
Probably should watch the video in the OP.
Posted on 5/3/21 at 10:58 am to GumboPot
Pretty interesting,thanks for posting that.
Posted on 5/4/21 at 10:03 am to GumboPot
Speaking of tall trees in California, what about those ridiculously tall California Palms?
They regularly grow to 44-66 height, older ones are about 100' tall.
They regularly grow to 44-66 height, older ones are about 100' tall.
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