Modeling heliotropic tree growth in hardwood tree species-A case study on Maesopsis eminii

▶ Maesopsis eminii, has shown strong occurrence of bent boles suspected to be caused by heliotropic growth - an active bending towards light. ▶ We prove the existence of a heliotropic growth reaction using a mathematical equation to calculate the intensity and direction of competition. ▶ The model relies on bole form parameters and basic information about the neighbouring trees only without incorporating crown parameters. ▶ Silvicultural recommendations are discussed for tree species with strong heliotropic growth.