Abstract
Intensive artificial pruning of trees increases the proportion of high-value timber but simultaneously reduces the crown and consequently the capacity to assimilate photosynthates. Here, midterm effects of two intensive pruning treatments, a classical and a selective approach, on radial growth dynamics at different stem heights is comparatively analyzed for the broadleaved tree species sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) at a site in the upper Rhine valley in southwest Germany using high-resolution point-dendrometers starting three years after pruning. We fitted shape-constrained additive models to the dendrometer data and derived estimates of growth phenology and performance of individual trees over the 2010–2016 observation period. The statistical analysis based on linear mixed-effects models showed significantly later growth cessation and in individual years also higher rates of radial growth in sycamore compared to wild cherry. Growth onset for both tree species initiated systematically earlier at the higher dendrometer location compared to breast height. While no main effects of treatment or interactions of treatment with year were detected, we found significantly higher average daily growth rates and annual radial growth of wild cherry at the top dendrometer location compared to breast height in the selective pruning treatment. Our results provide new insights into seasonal growth patterns of sycamore and wild cherry in a widely spaced system and contribute to a better understanding of the effects of stem height, pruning treatment and climate on radial growth dynamics of valuable broadleaved tree species.
Highlights
The demand for high-value timber in Europe is predicted to increase in the near future, alongside the increased demand for all other woody products [1]
In August and September, radial growth rates of sycamore were consistently higher in comparison to wild cherry
In conclusion our study shows that intensive classical and selective pruning of the valuable broadleaved tree species sycamore and wild cherry had no negative effect on radial growth dynamics three years after pruning
Summary
The demand for high-value timber in Europe is predicted to increase in the near future, alongside the increased demand for all other woody products [1]. Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) do not self-prune well under these conditions and the amount of high-value timber for both species can be increased by applying artificial pruning [4,5]. Such treatments incorporating a wide spacing between trees may be an option to increase the share of high-value timber of the crop trees
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