A comparison of cambial activity of white spruce in Alaska and New England

Abstract

White spruce trees (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) producing annually the same number of tracheids had a much shorter season for cambial activity in Alaska (65° N) than in New England (43° N). We counted the number of potential dividing cells in the cambial zone (NCZ) and estimated the rate of cell division by determining the percentage of cambial zone cells in mitosis (MI) for trees of different vigor (annual tracheid production) from each region during the early summer period of relatively constant mitotic activity. Within each region, NCZ was dependent on tree vigor and MI was independent of tree vigor. Rate of tracheid production was higher in Alaskan trees because of their higher rate of cell division (higher MI).

Cambial activity and annual rhythm of xylem production of elephant apple tree (Dillenia indica Linn.) in relation to phenology and climatic factor growing in sub-tropical wet forest of northeast India

“…Therefore, a rise of 6 • C is enough to reactivate cambium as well as induce new buds and foliage in D. indica L. after dormancy. Higher temperature was reported to be conducive for cambial reactivation and xylem production in Picea glauca (Monech) Voss (Pinaceae) (Gregory and Wilson 1968). A similar view was expressed by Kramer and Kolzowski (1979) that temperature was a significant factor for bud break following reactivation and subsequent shoot growth.…”

Effects of moisture limitation on tree growth in upland and floodplain forest ecosystems in interior Alaska

“…White spruce displays most of its cambial development within 45 days after growth starts (Gregory and Wilson, 1968). Diameter growth usually begins about the end of May in interior Alaska.…”

The importance of early summer temperature and date of snow melt for tree growth in the Siberian Subarctic

“…This stage is connected with the beginning of new needle development and one can often see trees near the northern timberline with new needle development when the soil is still under snow (Shiyatov 1969;Gorchakovskii and Shiyatov 1985). High temperature during the first part of a season also leads to formation of a wider cambial zone and consequently to higher cell production through the season (wider tree rings) (Bannan 1955;Wilson 1964;Gregory and Wilson 1968;Vaganov et al1985). Significant correlation of maximum latewood density, defined by latewood cell sizes and latewood cell-wall thickness, as well with early summer temperature as temperature of some periods in August-September can be explained by the fact that enlargement and wall thickening stages of cell development require several weeks to complete tracheid differentiation (1.5-2.5 months) and seasonal course of temperature is very important for photosynthesis (quantity of substances assimilated during the summer) and, consequently cell-wall thickness.…”