A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THE COASTAL VEGETATION AMONG SEVERAL BROAD-LEAF TREES IN MIURA PENINSULAIN JAPAN

The mechanical properties of broad-leaf tree species in a maritime-win d exposed habitat in central Japan were examined. The broad-leaf trees studied were Celtis sinensis var. japonica, Ilex integra, Eurya japon ica, Pittosporum tobira, Euonymus japonicus and Cinnamomum japonicum. The results obtained can be summarized briefly as follows: 1. At place s with weaker wind, the number of species increased and the height of the canopy increased. 2. The fracture strength sigma(m) showed no depe ndence on tree part or branch thickness, but was constant. 3. The orde r of strength was Celtis sinensis var. japonica>Ilex integra>Eurya jap onica>Pittosporum tobira>Euonymus japonicus>Cinnamomum japonicum, and these six species could best adapt to the wind pressure in the Study a rea. 4. Within species, fracture strength varied directly with wind st rength. 5. The strain epsilon(m) decreased as the trunk became thicker . 6. Within species, strain energy U-m varied directly with wind stren gth.