TREE GROWTH RESPONSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Abstract

The prediction of which species will do well in various microclimates is of obvious interest to horticulturists as well as homeowners. To this end, the following 5 species of trees and shrubs where planted at 5 disparate sites across Kansas in spring 1985 and growth and environment measured for the 4 following years: Phellodendron amurense, Acer rubrum, Acer platanoides `Greenlace', Quercus acutissima, and Cercocarpus montanus. Preliminary analysis of trunk diameter growth vs. environment indicates few simple relationships and several rather complex relationships. Rather simplistic linear relationships (growth vs. a single environmental parameter) are largely meaningless, and often misleading. For instance, growth of Q. acutissima was negatively correlated with the highest maximum temperature prior to the growing season and positively correlated with the lowest minimum temperature prior to the growing season. More complex, and reasonable, relationships will be presented.