Management Tree
Management Tree - A Management Structure is often referred to as a tree. This is an accurate description for the following reasons: - It is made almost entirely of wood. - Parts of it can be dead for years before they drop off. - If a branch falls off, most of the parasites move back to the main structure. - It takes years to react to any environmental change. - A large one can transpire hundreds of gallons of liquid in a day. - It sometimes carries a great many nuts. - If not pruned regularly it will not bear much fruit. - Small pieces which are chopped off often grow again in a few years. - It can be fired, but usually needs lots of paper to get it going. - It may provide shelter for those underneath, but also blocks out most of the light. - From the top one can see for miles in all directions, except vertically downward. - Anything heavy dropped from the top reaches the bottom quickly; the intervening layers merely delay it slightly. - Parts of it can be used to make boards (of varying thickness) but unless properly seasoned the quality will be poor. - It bends easily in light winds but in storms it is rarely flexible enough to avoid damage.
Originally published November 14, 2002.
