Studies On Tree Visualization Based On Observed Morphological Structural Data And Empirical Growth Models

Virtual trees are models that describe the growth and development of a tree in 3D space by computer simulation. The study of virtual plants has been more and more popular in botany, agriculture, forestry, environmental sciences and computer. Growth modeling and visualization techniques are essential parts of virtual trees.In this paper, a 3D visualization system on the growth and development of individual tree with Larix olgensis as an example was developed based on the integration of observed morphological structural data, individual tree growth and structure models. The tree was decomposed into several structural units: trunk, the first order branches, the second order branches, the third order branches and leaves. The geometrical and topological relations were developed. Individual tree growth models included the growth of tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), the height to the base of crown, the number of branches, branch length and branch base diameter at three orders. The relations between crown width and DBH, crown length and DBH and crown ratio and crown length were also studied. The 3D tree visualization system (SimTree 1.0) was developed with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 and OpenGL 3D graphics and building models library as the platform. The system has the functions of static and dynamic 3D graphical simulation of individual tree. It will be useful for virtual thinning and pruning, and 3D virtual simulation at stand and landscape levels.