Da Vinci’s Rule of the Trees

How did that tree survive that windstorm?

tree

Interesting Facts in Easy English

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • observation: something that you see
  • cross section: a view of the inside of something after a cut has been made across it
  • hold true: remain a fact or truth even in other situations
  • ideal: suitable
  • sap: fluid (sugar and minerals) inside a plant
  • resistant: able to withstand


Da Vinci’s Rule of the Trees

Over 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci made an interesting observation about trees. He that the total thickness of a tree’s branches at a certain height almost always equals the total thickness of the tree trunk. In other words, as the tree splits into , the cross section of the branches remains equal to the cross section of the trunk. This observation holds true for almost all trees. When trees begin , they make exact copies of themselves. Scientists believe that there are two reasons for this law of nature. Firstly, this design is ideal for transporting sap through a tree. , this structure makes a tree more resistant to wind. Artists use Leonardo da Vinci’s rule of nature to design real-looking trees.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What is Leonardo’s rule of trees?
  2. According to scientists, how does this rule help trees?
  3. Why does the report mention artists?

Discussion Questions: How can architects use this law of nature?

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