An allometric model for trees

This paper presents a general mathematical model for the morphometric description of trees. This model is based on the introduction of fractal theory, and more particularly of the concept of self-similarity, into a statistical physics rationale. Fractal theory provides the necessary tools to describe the complexity of tree structure. Statistics, when applied to physics, makes it possible to explain the properties of complex objects starting from their components. The combination of both tools allowed us to develop a theoretical model that is the probability density function of the morphometric lengths of trees. An example of validation of this law is given here: the theoretical model of morphometric lengths is compared with experimental data of Cupressocyparis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.