Kehitysarvet

Kehitysarvet, which translates to "development axes" or "growth axes," is a concept primarily used in the field of forestry and silviculture to describe the primary directional growth of trees. It refers to the main upward or outward extension of a woody plant. This concept helps in understanding and managing tree form, canopy development, and overall growth patterns.

In practical forestry, recognizing and sometimes influencing the development axes is important. For instance, in young trees, the apical dominance, which is the tendency of the main shoot to grow preferentially and inhibit the development of lateral shoots, is a key aspect of the primary development axis. Understanding this allows foresters to guide the tree towards a desirable form for timber production or other purposes.

Different species exhibit variations in their development axes. Some trees have a strong, single apical dominance leading to a straight trunk, while others may have a more branched or spreading growth habit. Factors like light availability, competition from other trees, and genetic predispositions all influence how a tree's development axes manifest. Managing these axes can involve techniques such as pruning to encourage specific growth directions or to remove undesirable branches, thereby optimizing the tree's structure and health.