RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Tree Biomechanics: A White Paper from the 2012 International Meeting and Research Summit at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle, Illinois, U.S.) JF Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) FD International Society of Arboriculture SP 309 OP 318 DO 10.48044/jauf.2014.029 VO 40 IS 6 A1 Gregory Dahle A1 Jason Grabosky A1 Brian Kane A1 Jason Miesbauer A1 Ward Peterson A1 Frank W. Telewski A1 Andrew Koeser A1 Gary W. Watson YR 2014 UL http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/40/6/309.abstract AB The International Society of Arboriculture, in conjunction with The Morton Arboretum (Lisle, Illinois, U.S.), convened Tree Biomechanics Summit in September 2012 – bringing together a panel of internationally-recognized experts in the fields of tree biology, tree structure, structural engineering, computer modeling, and arboriculture. Following two days of public research talks on the state of tree biomechanics research, presenters were invited to attend a researcher summit to discuss persisting research gaps and prioritize research needs. Over the course of the event, summit attendees identified five priority research areas: 1) improving efforts to assess mechanical failure potential in trees; 2) modeling the impact of mechanical loading on trees; 3) understanding the mechanisms and modes of tree failure; 4) understanding tree growth response to mechanical loads; and 5) increasing the effectiveness of tree risk mitigation practices. Beyond research priorities, summit participants discussed opportunities for advancing future tree biomechanics research efforts, including the creation of a formal working group dedicated to the subject.