THE FACELIFT OF A TREE

1. INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of our lab is to find out why some trees peal and others don't. Although the Sycamore tree is easy to identify during any season of the year because of its characteristic scalding and shedding, it is wondered why this tree, like a few others exfoliates old bark leaving the younger, more sensitive bark exposed? According to Richard Jauron of Iowa State University, the shedding bark on some trees is completely normal in the tree's development. This is because as the tree ages the bark layer thickens with the outermost tissue eventually dying. Thus, any continued growth causes the outer layers to crack, which in turn causes, the dead outer layer to drop off, or peel. Unlike other species of trees, the Sycamore tree is unable to stretch along with its growth, so this cracking and peeling provides excess room for additional maturity. It is then that a new, mottled brown and white color bark becomes visible, according to the Blair Park Tree Classification web page. In addition, we want to understand what pealing does for the tree, and/ or if the peelings can be used for anything after they have left the tree?

Through this study we hope to discover why the sycamore trees have this need to peal. This includes how often it peals, the rate at which it peals, what natural occurrences influence the peeling, and finally why this process is relevant to humans. As noted from the Platanus occidentalis web page, "wood is used for boxes, crates, baskets, yokes, furniture, butcher's blocks, automobile parts, and woodenware." Another use of the sycamore tree is based upon its roots. Even though this has nothing to do with the bark, the tree's interlacing roots make it very suitable for planting along the water because they minimize stream bank erosion. As a result, this tree is able to thrive in moist areas, with rich soil along streams and lakes. Obviously, the actual wood of a tree contributes greatly to human society, but more importantly, it is the growth of the tree, and the peeling of the dead bark that allows for this growth, hence such products can de derived from the mature wood. Although this process of peeling is not common for all tree species, we hope that through this study a better understanding is available for why it is vital in the aging and continuation of the American sycamore.

Our hypothesis is that trees peal as they age and grow in diameter, but also that the rate at which they peal is effected by the weather such as rain, wind, and temperature. "This summer the sycamores have lost larger than normal amounts of bark. The dry fall and record cold of last winter may have loosened more bark than normal leading to the heavy loss of bark," said Jauron. In continuation, "Despite the loss of large amounts of outer bark, there is no cause for concern as the sycamore trees appear to be healthy." This is because the sycamore tree is generally considered the largest hardwood tree in North America. It grows to a height of 170 feet with a diameter in mature trees of up to twelve feet, and thus is seldom damaged by weather action, according to the wildlife neighbors home page. Although weather may not harm the tree, it can still be considered that the weather plays an important role in the tree's peeling.

2. RELEVANCE OF OUR RESEARCH QUESTION:
We feel our research question pertaining to the peeling of sycamore trees is relevant because it would be similar to understand the aging process of human beings. It can be easily understood that bark on trees serves the purpose to protect from physical injury, water loss, diseases, and insect and animal pests. What is more difficult to understand is the idea that with each year of a trees life an additional layer is being formed, that will then be shed. Why would a tree grow, only to peel? This is because the trees do not peel at the rate of which they grow. Normally most trees retain several years of growth to the point where the bark becomes thick before the peeling process takes place, according to Joseph R. Thomasson. In connection to this Thomasson completed a study at the Fort Hays State University dealing with the unique and distinctive patterns as a result of the way different trees peeling processes occur. He found that the Honey Locust tree bark peels in rings. By this the bark peels in many different horizontal rings that cover the entire diameter of specific parts of the trunk. The Paper Mulberry tree peels in long vertical strips. He also found this tree to one that allows several more years of growth before peeling begins. The American sycamore tree, which has previously been discovered, tends to peel in pieces. Although the peeling begins at the top of the tree while working its way down to the trunk, this tree has no specific order to its peeling.

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Experimental design: To complete this lab we will closely observe the pealing of three different sycamore trees within Miami's campus. All three trees are located in completely different areas, such as the presence of people, and other trees. After selecting the three trees we are going to observe, we came up with the way in which we will observe them. On each tree there have been four specific parts that will be watched, measured, and photographed. These four parts include two on either side of the trunk, and then two on different branches, which are on opposite sides of the tree. We came up with these four spots because we wanted to cover whether more bark peeled from the trunk or the branches, while also taking into consideration whether one side peeled faster than the other side. With a ruler we will actually measure the amount of bark that has pealed from each spot. Then we will take a picture of each of the four spots on the tree, followed by the recording of these numbers, which will actually make up our statistical data. This process will continue to occur 2-3 times each week until the beginning of December. It is then that all of this data will be combined, and that the pictures will be put on a board next to each other so that the numerical statistics and the visual sight of the pealing rate can be seen. Although this process will continue until the beginning of December, we will divide our data, and pictures into each week beginning with Monday and ending with Sunday, so that the weather patterns can be taken into consideration. This way, if it were to rain the day before measurements were taken, the rainfall would still be noted as effecting the rate of pealing. This division into weeks will also allow us to consider the temperature, and wind speeds into our data. Otherwise, we are afraid that if high wind speeds, and rainfall did not occur on the day measurements were taken, their effects would be overseen.

We will be using disposable cameras to take pictures of the pealing, a tape measure to measure to amount of bark that has pealed for each observation, a chair so measurements can be taken on higher parts of the tree, a calculator to find the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation of the pealing rates, and film that will be processed so the physical changes can be seen.

We plan to involve the class by dividing them into three groups where each group will be taken to a different tree. There they will make our observations for the day including measurements, pictures, and the recording of the data. They will also be factoring in the weather for the day such as the temperature, and then the weather patterns for the week. In order to make these measurements and recordings; each of us will be at one tree helping them with what they need to do. In addition, they will each be given a handout with all requirements included. This is so we can monitor the measurements each group came up with, and to make sure no group left out any observation or important piece of information. We hope that through these hands on experiences the class will become more interested in why the tree peels, what makes it peel, and why they should learn more about our research plan. We also feel that having the class take an active part in our lab will allow them to feel apart of our presentation, since they helped collect our data. This is important because without data we would only have background information, which gives us nothing pertaining to the peeling process. Experience is the key to knowledge.

4. RESULTS
A. Observations:
B. Tables and Figures:

5. DUSCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
A. Interpretation of results:
B. Additional questions beyond project:
C. Suggestions for further investigation:

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