The geography of white oak's ( Quercus alba L.) response to climatic variables in North America and speculation on its sensitivity to climate change across its range

Abstract

Dendrochronological analysis is used to determine white oak's ( Quercus alba L.) sensitivity to mean monthly temperature and monthly precipitation for the entirety of its range in the United States. Throughout much of its range, white oak is sensitive to summer precipitation (positive), summer temperature (negative), and previous season late-summer and fall precipitation (positive). Spatially, populations of white oak in the western and central portion of its range are most highly correlated with these variables, while Appalachian and eastern populations show little sensitivity to monthly climate variables. White oak's radial growth rate in light of anthropogenic climate change (based on regional and downscaled climate models) may be most reduced in the far western portion of its range (Illinois and Missouri), whereas eastern populations are less likely to be adversely affected.