Kronstruktur

Kronstruktur, in forestry and arboriculture, refers to the architecture of a tree's crown—the arrangement of branches and foliage in the vertical and horizontal space. It describes how much of the crown is formed, how it is distributed along the stem, and how it contributes to the tree's light interception and growth. Crown structure is used to assess tree vigor, form quality, and timber potential in both stand-level and individual-tree contexts.

Key components include crown form (shape), crown height and width, crown density (foliage density), and the live crown ratio, which is the proportion of the tree's height that carries living foliage. Crown base height marks where branches begin, and leaf area index summarizes the total leaf area relative to ground area. Crown forms vary from conical or columnar to spreading or irregular shapes.

Assessment combines field measurements and remote-sensing methods. In the field, foresters estimate crown length, diameter at crown base, crown width, and density by eye or with prisms. Modern techniques use laser scanning (LiDAR), photogrammetry, or aerial imagery to map crown extent, height, and vertical foliage distribution.

Influencing factors include species, age, site quality, light regime, competition, wind exposure, damage, and silvicultural treatments such as thinning or pruning. Young stands often have more open crowns with higher growth rates, while older trees may develop deeper, denser crowns or irregular forms depending on site and history.

Understanding kronstruktur helps predict growth, wood quality, and yield, and informs management decisions for spacing, thinning, pruning, and habitat provision. It also plays a role in forest ecology by shaping microclimates, understory light, and biodiversity within stands.

Related concepts include tree crown, live crown ratio, crown density, and LiDAR-based crown modelling.