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Diminished vessel diameter as a possible factor in the decline of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

La diminution du diamètre des vaisseaux, un facteur possible du dépérissement de Fraxinus excelsior L

Annals of Forest Science volume 67, page 103 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

  • • The aim of this work was to examine the anatomy and functioning of secondary xylem in stems in relation to the decline of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.).

  • • We tested the hypothesis that declining trees show changes in the structure of wood, which result in impaired water transport.

  • • Anatomical analyses were carried out on wood samples (comprising all annual rings formed during the 30 years life of the analysed trees) collected at breast height from the main stem of healthy, weakened and dead ash trees. The width of annual wood increments, the diameter and density of earlywood vessels were measured and the theoretical hydraulic conductivity index through the secondary xylem calculated by application of Hagen-Poisseuille’s formula.

  • • Anatomical characteristics changed both with the age of trees and in response to unfavorable factors. The largest vessels were observed in healthy trees, which implied that they had the highest hydraulic conductivity index, whereas trees considered to be in decline produce smaller vessels and hence had reduced conductivity.

Résumé

  • • Le but de ce travail était d’étudier l’anatomie et le fonctionnement du xylème secondaire dans le tronc en relation avec le dépérissement de Fraxinus excelsior L.

  • • Nous avons testé l’hypothèse selon laquelle les arbres dépérissants présentent des changements dans la structure du bois, qui se traduisent par un dysfonctionnement du transport de l’eau.

  • • Des analyses anatomiques ont été effectuées sur des échantillons de bois (comprenant tous les cernes formés au cours des 30 années de vie des arbres analysés) recueillis à hauteur de poitrine sur la tige principale d’arbres sains, affaiblis ou morts. La largeur des accroissements annuels du bois, le diamètre et la densité des vaisseaux du bois initial ont été mesurés, et un indice théorique de conductivité hydraulique du xylème secondaire a été calculé par l’application de la loi de Hagen-Poisseuille.

  • • Les caractéristiques anatomiques ont changé à la fois avec l’âge des arbres et en réponse à des facteurs défavorables. Les vaisseaux les plus largers ont été observés chez les arbres sains, ce qui implique un indice de conductivité hydraulique élevé, tandis que les arbres considérés comme dépérissants ont produit des vaisseaux plus petits et avaient donc une conductivité réduite.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Botany, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166 St., 02-787, Warsaw, Poland

    Mirela Tulik, Katarzyna Marciszewska & Jacek Adamczyk

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  1. Mirela Tulik
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  2. Katarzyna Marciszewska
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  3. Jacek Adamczyk
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Correspondence to Mirela Tulik.

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Tulik, M., Marciszewska, K. & Adamczyk, J. Diminished vessel diameter as a possible factor in the decline of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Ann. For. Sci. 67, 103 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009084

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009084

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Annals of Forest Science

ISSN: 1297-966X