Growth and development of sugar maple as revealed by stem analysis

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. F. Fayle ◽  
G. B. MacDonald

Patterns of annual height and radial growth over a 50- to 60-year period are discussed for three 16- to 18-m-tall sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) of intermediate crown position growing in tolerant hardwood forest in central Ontario. Two of the trees had been released when they were about 6 m tall. Changes in the growth layer profile as the trees developed showed similarities to those reported for conifers but were modified by light conditions and crown characteristics. A repetitive pattern of changes in height and radial increment in response to changing environmental conditions occurred. Overall changes in the pattern of ring width at breast height appeared to be a good indicator of growth performance as they were close to those for specific volume increment.

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 612-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Zahner ◽  
Joseph R. Saucier ◽  
Richard K. Myers

Annual ring widths and ring areas from 131 even-aged, natural, well-stocked stands of loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) in the Piedmont region were analyzed to reveal possible causes of a previously reported decline in radial growth. A linear aggregate model was used to separate independent factors that are known to contribute to radial growth variation in this species. Stand, site, and climatic conditions were reconstructed for each stand for the 36-year period 1949–1984 from previous inventories and from weather records at appropriately located stations. Within each of six 5-year age-classes, the model identified declines in both ring width and ring area associated with stand density, climate changes, and the passage of time. Regional climate first ameliorated this decline as pine stands passed from droughty conditions early in the 36-year period to a favorable climate during the middle of the period, and the decline accelerated later with the return of dry conditions toward the end of the period. The tree-ring model simulates a decline in radial increment in trees in natural pine stands between the ages of 20 and 45 years in the Piedmont which has averaged 1% per year since 1950. Part of the downward trend was attributed to increased competition, part to regional drought, and a considerable part to unidentified factors, possibly regional atmospheric deposition.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1493-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Segura ◽  
Thomas M. Hinckley ◽  
Chadwick D. Oliver

Stem analysis of mature Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes (Pacific silver fir) trees was used to analyze patterns of radial growth in areas of southwestern Washington where this species is experiencing a severe crown decline associated with heavy tephra deposition from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Reductions in stem growth after 1980 appeared to be related to the severity of crown damage. The largest reductions in cross-sectional area increment exceeded 50% and extended along most of the stem. An increase in stem growth in the upper crown was common among declining trees. This zone coincided with a portion of the crown that has experienced vigorous and rapid growth since 1980. The role of this recovery zone on subsequent tree recovery is discussed. Decline or recovery of trees appeared independent of crown class per se. Reductions in radial growth of declining trees tended to be more pronounced at breast height, suggesting that estimations of whole-stem growth based on breast height measurements would overestimate growth losses.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1958-1965 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Guilley ◽  
M Loubère ◽  
G Nepveu

Grain angle on bark (angle between the general direction of bark fissures and the axis of the trunk) was assessed at the four cardinal points at breast height (1.3 m) on 82 standing sessile oaks (Quercus petraea Liebl.). After felling, wood spiral grain was measured at breast height from cambium to pith along two diametrically opposite radii. A mixed-effect model that links the tangent of grain angle to radial position (age and distance from the pith) allows to estimate two individual parameters of grain angle. In the field, nondestructive measurements of grain angle (subcortical spiral grain or spiral grain on bark) on an individual tree combined with information on the tree stand allow to estimate one of the two parameters that describes the change in grain angle for a given radial increment. This parameter is independent of mean ring width, tree age and circumference, and site characteristics; it should allow a more accurate identification and selection of standing trees with low wood spiral grain.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Peter F. Newton

The objective of this study was to develop a stem analysis data processing and computational algorithm and associated software suite that was (1) applicable to temperate and boreal forest tree species, (2) mathematically consistent with excurrent tree stem geometric and allometric principles, (3) compatible with data structures obtained using proprietary and non-proprietary imaging systems, and (4) executable on Windows®-based operating systems. Computationally, the suite denoted SAP (Stem Analysis Program), deployed sectional-specific formulae that were in accord with the following geometric assumptions: (1) stump section was treated as a solid of revolution resembling a cylinder; (2) sections between the stump and the tip were treated as a solid of revolution resembling a frustum of a cone for sections with continuous annual increments, otherwise treated as a cone; and (3) tip section was treated as a solid of revolution resembling a cone. The algorithm also corrected for the slant-based sectional length measurements using Pythagorean Theorem and eliminated the requirement to predict age-specific apex height development through the use of a linear interpolation procedure. Based on input data structures consisting of annual ring-width xylem sequences measured from cross-sectional disk samples acquired at multiple positions along the tree’s main stem, the suite produces a broad array of output, inclusive of radial and longitudinal ring-width sequences, apical growth increments, annual and cumulative sectional and cumulative volume production patterns, and historically reconstructed stem taper profiles. In total, the SAP creates six output data files for each tree analyzed: (1) input data reference summary (e.g., geometric mean ring-widths and resultant radii for each cross-section); (2) radial growth patterns for the cross-section sampled at breast-height (e.g., absolute and relative diameter and basal area growth estimates); (3) sectional (vertical) profiles of volume growth patterns (e.g., absolute and relative growth estimates within each section (bolt)); (4) cumulative volume growth patterns for the entire tree; (5) historical taper profile estimates (e.g., heights and diameters by year); and (6) texturally-labeled compendium of all output files generated. Additionally, real-time graphical output was produced for the purposes of data assessment and verification during the radial sequence data acquisition stage (e.g., graphical presentation of annual ring-width sequences by radii and disk, for use in validating input data structures and increment measurements derived from the imaging system), and interpreting growth and development patterns (e.g., vertical growth layer and specific volume increment profiles by age or year). The utility of the SAP suite was exemplified by processing WindendroTM-based annual ring-width xylem sequences obtained from cross-sectional disks extracted from a jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) tree via percent-height destructive stem analysis, and subsequently elucidating growth and developmental patterns within the context of silviculture treatment effects (thinning). The SAP suite provides the conceptual and logistical foundation for the continued deployment of the stem analysis approach in a wide range of investigations, including those examining the effect of naturogenic processes and anthropogenic influences on tree growth and development.


2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1586-1598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Cooke ◽  
Jens Roland

We investigated the long-term effects of drought and defoliation by forest tent caterpillars on trembling aspen radial growth in the province of Ontario using a dendroecological approach. Drought, as measured by Hogg’s climate moisture index (CMI), was found to have no discernible impact on aspen radial increment in either northeastern or northwestern Ontario during the study period 1930–2003. Forest tent caterpillar outbreaks were strongly decadal in periodicity in both regions and resulted in similar patterns of periodic variation in tree ring-width chronologies, indicating that, in humid environments prone to spatially synchronized tent caterpillar outbreaks, herbivory is the main factor limiting aspen radial growth. We show that the major decadal outbreak cycles of forest tent caterpillar can, by filtering with the computer program OUTBREAK, be reliably reconstructed from raw aspen ring-width chronologies. We determine the filtering parameters that give the most reliable reconstruction fit to observed patterns of outbreaks in each region. We show that the periodic outbreak signal is present even in areas where aerial surveyors frequently failed to detect significant levels of defoliation, and that the outbreak signal necessarily includes minor defoliation episodes that occur in between the major decadal outbreak cycles.


1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. G. Smith ◽  
L. Heger ◽  
J. Hejjas

Widths of earlywood and latewood in each annual ring, measured on an average radius on a disk taken halfway between each branch whorl, were analyzed to define their variation in 18 Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Distribution of ring width and percentage latewood also was investigated in these trees which had from 20 to 50 whorls above stump height. Multiple regression and correlation analyses showed that number of rings from pith, and its reciprocal, square, or logarithm accounted for most of the variation in radial growth. Number of rings from pith influenced thickness of both earlywood and latewood much more than the climatic differences reflected by variations in annual height growth and in widths of earlywood and latewood formed at breast height in the same calendar year. Since earlywood and latewood are distributed differently and controlled by different factors, they should be studied separately within annual rings. The statistical methods used in this study provide a simple, efficient, and comprehensive basis for thoroughly describing growth patterns, and for objectively analyzing factors that govern growth.


1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everette D. Rast ◽  
Robert L. Brisbin

Abstract Severe late spring frosts can kill new shoots and leaves on commercial tree species at higher elevations. A previous short-term study has shown that the resulting defoliation and dieback does not seriously affect the radial growth or mortality of most species except American beech. In this study we found that defoliation, dieback, and radial growth increment were related to species and crown class. The radial growth increment of American beech was reduced to 70% of the previous 6-yr growth during the first year after the frost. The annual growth then increased consistently over the measurement period. Black cherry and sugar maple radial increment was only reduced to 88% of the previous 6-yr growth, but subsequent increments were much more variable. Epicormic branching on the lower bole of black cherry and beech increased significantly after defoliation occurred. At elevations above 3,200 ft, managers should discourage beech regeneration if timber production is the primary management objective. The potential for higher value products may be reduced because of increased variability in growth rate. North. J. Appl. For. 4:26-28, March 1987.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 377-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Podlaski

The objectives of this study are to determine a trend of the radial growth at breast height (b.h.) and to compare the radial growth of trees of younger and older generations in the XX century for fir (Abies alba Mill.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the Świętokrzyski National Park. In the investigated area fir, 41 to 200–300 years of age at breast height, gradually regenerated its radial growth after a very strong decline during 1971–1990, and most likely the process of vitality reduction and death of its stands of various age is slowly coming to an end. Pine showed a systematic decrease in the radial increment during 1885–1994, and there were no distinct symptoms indicating a change of this unfavourable trend. Beech showed no significant decrease in the radial increment during 1885–1994. In the Świętokrzyski National Park the differences in the radial growth between younger and older generations were noticeable only in the case of beech. The radial growth of trees of different ages was very similar in the case of fir and pine.  


2013 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szymon Bijak

Abstract I present dendroclimatological analysis of coniferous tree species growing under the same environmental conditions in the WULS-SGGW Forest Experimental Station in Rogów (51°49' N, 19°53' E, ca. 190 m a.s.l). The study focuses on silver fir, European larch, Scots pine and Douglas fir. For each species, tree-ring width and annual sensitivity chronologies were developed for the period 1931-2010. Analysed species show considerable similarity of their radial increment course (GLK up to 67%, the t-value of 3,5-9,5). The relationship obtained for of the influence of climate conditions on radial growth of these species is typical of the relationships reported from other locations in lowland Poland. Late winter and early spring temperature, especially during February-March, is the main factor affecting tree-ring formation. The general relationship demonstrates that this seasonal thermal limitation operates at an inter-regional and interspecific level in determining the growth of coniferous tree species in Poland. Whereas, the dependence of these species on precipitation is much less significant.


Holzforschung ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn D. Mansfield ◽  
Roberta Parish ◽  
C. Mario Di Lucca ◽  
James Goudie ◽  
Kyu-Young Kang ◽  
...  

AbstractIn an attempt to examine the dynamic inter-relationship among wood density and fibre traits [tracheid length and microfibril angle (MFA)] in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), 60 trees were sampled in three age classes from four sites in central British Columbia. Breast height discs were taken and relative wood density was measured along two radii. Tracheid length was assessed on isolated 5-year increments from pith to bark at breast height for each tree. MFA was determined every 50 μm and the 5-mm composite intervals from pith to bark per disc at breast height were used in the analysis. Segmented regression was employed to identify the “juvenile to mature wood” transition point, which revealed transition ages of 31, 18 and 15 for wood density, fibre length and MFA, respectively. These traits were related to primary growth, expressed as area increment, ring width, percent earlywood and height increment during the juvenile wood phase. Comparisons of wood and fibre traits showed a higher congruence between the time of transitions for fibre length and MFA (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.52) than that between fibre length and wood density (0.07), and MFA and wood density (0.16). The cessation of early rapid radial increment growth terminated before wood and fibre transitions to mature wood occurred. Fibre length was significantly, but not strongly, related to ring width and percent earlywood (0.35 for both). The duration of juvenile fibre production was not significantly related to height growth.


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