Timing of spring xylogenesis in temperate deciduous tree species relates to tree growth characteristics and previous autumn phenology

• Published in: Tree physiology 2021-07, Vol.41 (7), p.1161-1170
• Main Authors: Marchand, Lorène Julia, Dox, Inge, Gričar, Jožica, Prislan, Peter, Van den Bulcke, Jan, Fonti, Patrick, Campioli, Matteo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity and Ecology; Environmental Sciences
• ISSN: 1758-4469; 0829-318X; 1758-4469
• DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpaa171

We explored the timing of spring xylogenesis and its potential drivers in homogeneous mature forest stands in a temperate European region. Three species with contrasting leaf development dynamics and wood anatomy were studied: European beech, silver birch and pedunculate oak. Detailed phenological observations of xylogenesis and leaf phenology were performed from summer 2017 till spring 2018. Cambium reactivation (CR) occurred before the buds of oak and birch were swollen, whereas these two phenological phases were concurrent for beech. On the other hand, initial earlywood vessels were fully differentiated (FDIEV) after leaf unfolding for all three species. Timing of CR was correlated to average ring-width of the last 10 years (2017-2008), tree diameter, and, partially, with tree age. In addition, the timing of FDIEV was correlated to tree age and previous' year autumn phenology i.e., timing of wood growth cessation and onset of leaf senescence. Multivariate models could explain up to 68% of the variability of CR and 55% of the variability of FDIEV. In addition to the "species" factor, the variability could be explained by ca. 30% by tree characteristics and previous' years autumn phenology for both CR and FDIEV. These findings are important to better identify which factors (other than environment) can be driving the onset of the growing season and highlight the influence of tree growth characteristics and previous' year phenology on spring wood phenology, wood formation and, potentially, forest production.