A Model for the Relationship between Branch Number and Biomass in Pinus sylvestris Crowns and the Effect of Crown Shape and Stand Density on Branch and Stem Biomass

The branch biomass of young Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) was inversely related to the branch number per projected crown area giving greater branch density and smaller branch biomass for narrow crowns than for broad crowns. In particular, in dense stands the small share of branches from the total biomass of narrow-crowned trees was emphasized. The productivity of narrow crowned trees was, however, smaller than that of trees with broad crowns. The concept of the tree ideotype has been discussed on the basis of theoretical calculations.