Tree Crown Reconstruction Model Based on Maximum Lighted Area

Abstract

This paper provides a tree crown reconstruction method. We calculate the total lighted area a leaf receives in a day and analyze the best included angle between a pair of leaves when their mutual overlap is considered. By using discrete summation and equilibrium condition of forces we conclude that when leaf angle is consistent with light angle, the sunlight a pair of leaves receives is the maximum. We make different types of leaf shapes cover the crown to get different coverage, in which the maximum corresponds to the most appropriate shape. This method follows the law of maximum light area in plant growth and once user set the tree crown, the leaf shape can be fixed. Then the whole tree crown is reconstructed. It can be used in tree model reconstruction in broad scene.