Abstract
Long-term growth trends of blue oak (Quercusdouglasii Hook. & Arn.) at five sites in California were quantified and interpreted with respect to annual precipitation. Mean annual basal area increment (BAI) at sites with deep soil profiles or high precipitation was twice as great as growth at other sites. In general, BAI increased sharply during approximately the first 40 years of tree growth, then increased gradually or leveled off for the next 100 years. Limited data from older trees suggest that BAI decreases gradually after this point. Growth trends are relatively homogeneous within each site, but vary among sites. Most sites have relatively high correlations with precipitation compared with coniferous species at higher elevations. Interannual variation in soil moisture availability is clearly an important factor affecting annual growth of blue oak in the Mediterranean climate of California. This is the first known dendroecological study of blue oak growth trends.
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