Seasonal changes in the occurrence of embolisms among broad-leaved trees in a temperate region

Abstract

Sap freeze–thaw events are a main determinant of the distribution of broad-leaved woody plants in cool regions but the effect in other climates remains unknown. We used cryoscanning electron microscopy to examine the differences in plant growth patterns based on seasonal variation in xylem water distribution in four broad-leaved species (one ring-porous and three diffuse-porous species) in a temperate region of Japan. Leaf fall was detected in November for the ring-porous species Maackia amurensis Rupr. et Maxim., although embolisms were detected in large earlywood vessels in January of the following year. The percentage of embolisms in latewood vessels varied significantly between years. By contrast, xylem embolisms in diffuse-porous species (deciduous and evergreen) were barely detectable during winter. In one evergreen species, embolisms and refilling were detected in some vessels during the growing season. Based on the variation in the number of freeze–thaw events among years in Asian monsoon forests, we infer that M. amurensis obtained no benefit from extending leaf phenology because of the occurrence of vessel embolisms in winter. On the other hand, the leaf phenologies of deciduous and evergreen diffuse-porous species were less constrained by winter embolisms. Maackia amurensis persists in cool temperate regions by limiting the photosynthetic period.