The state-of-the-art interpretation of stem radius changes (DRTotal) for tree water relations is based on knowledge from mostly slow growing tree species. The ratio between diurnal size fluctuations of the rigid xylem (DRXylem) and the respective fluctuations of the elastic bark (DRBark) is known to be small (<0.4) and is of importance for the localisation of water storage dynamics in stems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF· Eucalypts are one of the most planted tree genera worldwide, and there is increasing interest in marker-assisted selection for tree improvement. Implementation of marker-assisted selection requires a knowledge of the stability of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). This study aims to investigate the stability of QTLs for wood properties and growth across contrasting sites and multiple pedigrees of Eucalyptus globulus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough tree-ring-width chronologies have been widely used for temperature reconstructions, there are many sites around the world at which there is little evidence of a clear climate signal in the ring-width chronologies. This is the case with the long-lived conifer Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii (Hook. F.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe tropical conifer Callitris intratropica (Cupressaceae) produces clear annual growth rings, and has been shown to be potentially useful for understanding past climate variability in northern Australia. As climate patterns in this region become less predictable, an understanding of plant responses to different weather patterns is of importance. In this paper, we examine tree water relations using a parameter here called tree water deficit (ΔD), determined from de-trended stem size variability in densely grown ('grove') and isolated trees.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn hardwoods such as Eucalyptus spp., xylem (wood) is a heterogeneous tissue consisting of multiple cell types. As such, xylem development involves multiple complex interactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWood can serve as a record of past climate, recording tree responses to changing conditions. It is also valuable in understanding tree responses to environment to optimise forest management. Stable carbon isotope ratios (δC), wood density and microfibril angle (MFA) are potentially useful wood property parameters for these purposes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh resolution measurements of stem diameter variation provide a means to study short-term dynamics of tree growth and water status. In this 14-month study, daily changes in stem radius of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. seedlings were measured with electronic point dendrometers in a plantation in southern Tasmania, Australia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF