Key message: Although global changes are expected to intensify the impact of wind as a hazard, recent studies have emphasized the critical role wind plays in tree growth and development. Wind-induced swaying generates strains that the tree perceives, triggering a process known as thigmomorphogenesis. This process alters the tree’s growth patterns and wood properties to enhance its mechanical stability. Thus, wind functions not only as a hazard but also as a growth factor, enabling the tree to acclimate to wind loads and reduce its mechanical risk. Despite the significant role of thigmomorphogenesis in tree growth and carbon allocation, this process remains largely overlooked in forest ecology and management models. We strongly advocate for the integration of wind-induced strain sensing, the primary driver of thigmomorphogenesis, alongside established environmental factors in tree and forest growth models, as well as in instrumented forest stands aimed at studying the effects of environmental factors on tree growth. This crucial step is essential for a comprehensive understanding of forest growth dynamics and for informed decision-making in forest management.

Tree risk assessment requires mechanical response studies, but simplification of the shape, material, or boundary conditions is necessary when dealing with such complex structures. To observe overall tree response, sub-structuring to several levels of detail can be used, enabled by recent developments in numerical methods and three-dimensional laser scanning (3D scan). This study aimed to determine an appropriate level of geometry and loading simplification allowed for high-order branches at the crown border, which is useful for the mechanical analysis of structured tree models. Four higher-order branches were pruned and experimentally tested by single-point loading. Beam and solid finite-element models (FEMs) were created based on measured geometric parameters and detailed 3D scans, respectively. The FEMs were used to analyze seven loading scenarios with force applied at (a) the center of gravity, (b) the top of side branches, (c) key discrete points, and (d) uniformly to the whole volume (to each finite element). Force was distributed by ratios weighted according to the mass, area, and diameter of side branches; or according to the mass of each finite element. The results showed no significant difference between the beam model and 3D scan-based model. The scenarios with finite elements’ mass-based force distribution deviated significantly from those of the other scenarios. The most simplified single-point loading caused a deviation in the deflection curve. The deviation of single-point loading in the case of the bending moment was related to force distribution ratios given by the branches architecture. Therefore, such loading simplification is not considered always appropriate. Consistency between the bending moment and branch deflection provided a representative mechanical response, recommended for further modeling of trees by sub-structuring.