Abstract
Shoots of S. fragilis in their first year of growth were bent through 360° and grown in this position for 11 weeks. During this period the shoots made greater radial growth on the upper side of both top and bottom halves of the loops. Coinciding with this eccentric radial growth was the consistent production of gelatinous fibres on the side with the longer radius, or in the region of the longer radius. Under these experimental conditions both eccentric growth and tension wood production were related to the stimulus of gravity and not to tension or compression forces. The quantitative results obtained clearly show a statistically significant degree of eccentric growth of the stem, and also a positive correlation between the maximum eccentricity and the localization of tension wood fibres in both upper and lower halves of the loops. A 26-year-old horizontal branch of S. fragilis was also examined. It showed little overall eccentricity and no consistent eccentricity in the same growth ring on opposite sides of the branch. Tension wood was present in the majority of growth rings on both upper and lower sides.
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