It's definitely not a new idea. The idea that trees maintain strength by equalizing stress throughout their structure is a classic one. Angiosperms depends on

It's definitely not a new idea. The idea that trees maintain strength by equalizing stress throughout their structure is a classic one. Angiosperms depends on tensile stresses for their strength. Trees keeping themselves upright is all about carefully distributing compressive and tensile strength in response to the environment. Claus Mattheck's books cover this in detail.