...or, to quote the article: > Therefore, the plant has to reduce in its volume as it reaches its extremities, causing a higher ratio of capillary to the surro

...or, to quote the article: > Therefore, the plant has to reduce in its volume as it reaches its extremities, causing a higher ratio of capillary to the surrounding plant mass The way I read it: because branches at the extremities are thinner, the ratio of "living skin" to "dead skeleton" is higher. I'm just wondering why this isn't immediately obvious and why they are presenting this as a great discovery?! Also, the phrase "has to reduce in its volume as it reaches its extremities" sounds a bit backwards: sure, young branches are thinner, and as the tree grows and branches get older, they grow thicker to support the young branches that grow off them.