Radial variation of vessel size and distribution in cork oak wood (Quercus suber L.)

Cambial Cell Production and Structure of Xylem and Phloem as an Indicator of Tree Vitality: A Review

“…A major factor in the utilization of wood is the degree of variation of wood properties at different scales. Variations are the result of site-to site differences in wood, population-level differences within a site and within a single tree (Gasson, 1987;Leal et al, 2007Leal et al, , 2008Lei et al, 1996;Panshin & de Zeeuw, 1980;Zhang, 1997). In addition to major economic consequences in these areas, the ecological issues associated with the decreasing vitality of pedunculate oak stands cannot be neglected.…”

Earlywood vessel features in Quercus faginea: relationship between ring width and wood density at two sites in Portugal

“…The area of vessels observed for this species was larger or similar as compared with other co-occuring evergreen oak species such as Q. coccifera, Q. ilex and Q. suber, but smaller than the vessel size reported for Q. robur and Q. petraea that less frequently cooccur with the portughese oak (Savill 1986, Villar-Salvador et al 1997, García-González & Eckstein 2003, Leal et al 2007, Campelo et al 2010. It has been reported that vessel features and wood porosity are mainly affected by drought in the Mediterranean area (Cherubini et al 2003, Baas et al 1983.…”

“…A light microscope (Leica DMLA) with 8× optical magnification (1 pixel = 0.00704 mm) was coupled with a digital camera (Leica CCD) to capture sequential images along the radial direction from the pith outwards, by using an image analysis software (Leica Q Win Plus). Images were then converted to grey pixels following the methodology proposed by Leal et al (2007). Count of earlywood vessels and measurement of their area were performed.…”

“…However, the current use of microscopy coupled with image analysis makes data acquisition and processing more efficient (Gasson 1985, Sass & Eckstein 1994, Fonti et al 2002, Leal et al 2007. Recently, the number of studies focusing on the variation of vessel features (e.g., with age, growth and site) and their relation to other wood characteristics (e.g., density) has increased, although data is still scanty and results are often species-specific.…”

“…Denne et al (1999) reported that the total vessel proportion decreased significantly as the ring width increase in Nothofagus nervosa, a diffuse porous hardwood species. In Q. suber, the vessel size increased from pith outwards, explaining 32% of the total variation in wood ring density (Leal et al 2007, Leal et al 2011. In Q. rubra, vessel percentage was also found to be correlated with specific gravity, independently of soil types (Hamilton & Knauss 1986).…”