Bending of a conifer branch at subfreezing temperatures: implications for snow interception

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Abstract
Ice crystals in cells of frozen wood increase the wood's modulus of elasticity so that branches become more rigid at colder temperatures. As temperature increases after a snowstorm, melting of crystals within the cells allows increased bending of branches under intercepted snow loads. Measurements of the force that produced a 10-cm deflection of branch tips of subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) and lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta var. latifolia Engelm.) showed a linear decrease as temperature rose from −12 to 0 °C. Model predictions for the bending of a tapered branch supported the hypothesis that increased bending can explain unloading of intercepted snow under certain conditions when warming occurs after snowstorms.

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