Tracheid dimensions of Norway spruce in uneven-aged stands

• Published in: Canadian journal of forest research Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 346 - 356
• Main Authors: Pyörälä, Jiri, Piispanen, Riikka, Valkonen, Sauli, Lundqvist, Sven-Olof
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1840 Woodward Drive, Suite 1, Ottawa, ON K2C 0P7 Canadian Science Publishing 01.03.2022; NRC Research Press; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Analysis; Bark; cambium; Evergreen trees; Finland; Fins; forests; Growth; Growth (Plants); Identification and classification; largeur des trachéides; latewood; longueur des trachéides; Norway spruce; peuplements inéquiennes; Picea abies; Pine trees; pith; propriétés du bois; Silviculture; Spruce; tracheid length; tracheid width; tracheids; Tree-rings; Trees; uneven-aged stands; Variation; wood properties; épicéa commun; Finland
• ISSN: 0045-5067; 1208-6037; 1208-6037
• DOI: 10.1139/cjfr-2021-0140

Tracheid length and width patterns from pith to bark at a height of 0.6 m in uneven-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees were studied. Identification of the main factors and a comparison with even-aged stands were also carried out. Ninety-six trees were sampled from experimental stands in southern Finland. The material encompassed the variation in tracheid properties from early years to silvicultural maturity, i.e., from corewood to outerwood up to a cambial age of 111 years. Data from 39 Norway spruce trees from even-aged stands were utilized for comparison. Models fitted to the data indicated that annual ring widths did not influence mean tracheid dimensions but that the latewood proportion had a significant influence on tracheid dimensions. Tracheids in uneven-aged stands were slightly wider and longer at the base of the stem in trees with a similar diameter, cambial age, and annual ring number.