Pine Growth Research Articles

Oaks enhance early life stage longleaf pine growth and density in a subtropical xeric savanna.

The interplay of positive and negative species interactions controls species assembly in communities. Dryland plant communities, such as savannas, are important to global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Sandhill oaks in xeric savannas of the southeastern United States can facilitate longleaf pine by enhancing seedling survival, but the effects of oaks on recruitment and growth of longleaf pine have not been examined. We censused, mapped, and monitored nine contiguous hectares of longleaf pine in a xeric savanna to quantify oak-pine facilitation, and to examine other factors impacting recruitment, such as vegetation cover and longleaf pine tree density.We found that newly recruited seedlings and grass stage longleaf pines were more abundant in oak-dominated areas where densities were 230% (newly recruited seedlings) and 360% (grass stage) greater from lowest to highest oak neighborhood densities. Longleaf pine also grew faster under higher oak density. Longleaf pine recruitment was lowest under longleaf pine canopies. Mortality of grass stage and bolt stage longleaf pine was low (~1.0%yr-1) in the census interval without fire. Overall, our findings highlight the complex interactions between pines and oaks-two economically and ecologically important genera globally. Xeric oaks should be incorporated as a management option for conservation and restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems.

Climate–Growth Relationships of Mongolian Pine (Pinussylvestris var. mongholica) along an Altitudinal Gradient of Northeast China

To study the radial growth of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica, MP) trees in response to climatic factors against the global warming background in the northeast part of the Greater Khingan Mountains (GKM), 101 tree cores were collected at contrasting altitudes (1100 and 650 m) in the Mordoga area, a tree-ring width chronology of MP was established for that region at both altitudes, and the relation between climatic factors and ring width trends at different time scales was investigated. The results revealed four major findings. (1) The ring width chronology of MP in the low-altitude area has better quality. (2) The growth of MP at high (low) altitude was mainly influenced by temperature (precipitation) factors. (3) Before a sudden change in temperature, there was a decreasing trend in the annual indices of MPs at higher altitudes. The chronological coefficients of MPs at both altitudes showed a significant upward trend after the increase in temperature. (4) The sliding analysis results showed that the stability of the relationship between MP growth and its response to climatic factors at both altitudes was also mostly similar. MP growth is relatively stable and sensitive and to climatic factors as temperatures increase.

Stand structural effects on growth distribution and growth efficiency in Scots pine and Mediterranean pine in Spain

AbstractUnderstanding the growth efficiency of individual trees, or growth per unit of resource utilization, can inform silvicultural management strategies to maximize tree and stand growth. Stand structure—the size and spatial distributions of trees within the stand—strongly influences water, light, and nutrient availability, as well as the resource-use efficiency of each tree. Key silvicultural tools for stand management include manipulating tree density, size distribution, and arrangement by controlling natural regeneration, artificial seeding, planting seedlings, and/or subsequent thinning of established trees. We analyzed two sets of plots from even-aged stands of common coniferous species in central Spain, 106 pure Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and 92 pure Mediterranean pine (Pinus pinaster), to examine the dynamics of the dominance hypothesis, the relationship between stand structure and growth, and the relationship between structure and growth efficiency. Our main findings revealed a negative impact of size-class uniformity on stand growth in both Scots pine and Mediterranean pine, while the positive effect of tree size on growth efficiency was supported for Mediterranean pine stands but uncertain for Scots pine. At the operational level, our results highlight how thinning intensity is more important than the thinning method in Mediterranean pinewoods and how thinning can benefit the provision of multiple ecosystem services. We also recommend integrating dominance effects on growth into individual tree modelling.

Elevation and local climate variation control changes in Aleppo pine growth responses to hydroclimate and drought in semi-arid Spain

Elevation and local climate variation control changes in Aleppo pine growth responses to hydroclimate and drought in semi-arid Spain

Development of 51 K liquid-phased probe array for Loblolly and Slash pines and its application to GWAS of Slash pine breeding population

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) are important economically and ecologically tree species worldwide. To implement genomic based breeding strategy, genotyping large number of samples is needed. However, huge and complex pines genome make it difficult to obtain abundant and cost-effectively markers. In this study, we designed a SNP array containing 51 K liquid-phased probes based on the published SNPs and probes of the two species, novel Slash pine-specific long-read transcript, and SNPs obtained from a double digest Restriction-Site Associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). We performed targeted capture sequencing using the developed SNP array on three pine species of Loblolly, Slash, and Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea). The probe capture had an efficiency of 68.26% on average. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), phylogenetic analysis, and genetic structure analysis of 28,670 SNPs genotyped for the three pine species demonstrated the transferability of the SNP array for the three pines. Furthermore, we genotyped 221 range-wide Slash pine genotypes, analyzed their genetic diversity and performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS). We identified 95 SNPs significantly associated with growth and wood quality traits of Slash pine. We have identified potential roles of the MYB2 and MYB46 transcription factors in regulating cell cycle and differentiation in Slash pine, while also suggesting that AP2/ERF and Glycosyl hydrolase may play significant roles in wood formation processes. This new SNP array can be widely applied in future molecular breeding research of conifers.

Which Cyclaneusma minus morphotypes are responsible for needle cast of Pinus spp. in Slovakia?

Cyclaneusma needle cast (CNC) is a needle disease which caused deterioration of vitality and reduction in the growth of pines. The disease is caused by the ascomycetous fungus Cyclaneusma minus, which has two well-described morphotypes; C. minus simile and C. minus verum. The distribution and host range of C. minus simile and verum was determined from needle samples and isolates collected throughout Slovakia from 2014 to 2020. Samples from 111 localities, 11 pine host species and 245 trees collected in different types of planting were analysed. It was found, that both morphotypes are present, but C. minus verum is predominantly responsible for CNC in urban and forest plantings in Slovakia. C. minus verum was positively detected in more than 88% of collected samples, whereas C. minus simile was only in four samples from three localities. Morphotype-specific primers were sufficiently sensitive even for new pine-host species. The host range of C. minus simile and C. minus verum was enriched worldwide. C. minus verum was observed in nine host species, whereas C. minus simile was identified only in one. Cyclaneusma niveum was also recorded and its presence was confirmed through DNA sequencing.

Effects of Planting Position, Seedling Size, and Organic Nitrogen Fertilization on the Establishment of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) Seedlings

The forest regeneration phase in Sweden commonly involves mechanical soil preparation followed by the planting of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) or Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) seedlings. The prepared soil offers planting positions with different properties, including reduced damage by pine weevils (Hylobius abietis L.). Nitrogen fertilization can be applied at the time of planting to aid establishment of the seedlings. In this study, we compared the effects of different planting positions, organic nitrogen fertilization, and different seedling sizes on the early survival and growth of Scots pine and Norway spruce seedlings. The main planting positions were capped mound, hinge, and mineral soil. Seedlings planted close to organic material were categorized as being in “low-quality positions”, since proximity to organic material increases pine weevil attraction. Higher mortality rates related to pine weevil damage were recorded for the seedlings planted in the low-quality positions, regardless of seedling size or N fertilization. Pine weevil attack rates increased with increasing seedling size. Growth was, in general, lowest in the mineral soil positions. The effect of organic N fertilization on growth was positive for the spruce regardless of the planting position or seedling size, while it depended on the planting position and seedling size for the pine, indicating that the effects of organic N fertilization depend on the seedling species, seedling size, and planting position.

Severity, Logging and Microsite Influence Post-Fire Regeneration of Maritime Pine

We investigated the influence of fire severity, logging of burnt wood, local ecological factors and their interaction on the natural regeneration, survival and growth of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), following a fire that took place in 2005. During the period 2006–2020, a sample of 1900 seedlings were monitored, in which three post-fire treatments were applied: (1) Early logging (before seedling emergence); (2) Delayed logging (after emergence); and (3) No management. Multivariate semi-parametric and non-parametric techniques were used to model seedling survival, estimated density and growth of natural pine regeneration. Seedling survival was 31% with a mean density of more than 2000 seedlings/ha at the end of the study period. Logging before seedling emergence was positively related with pine survival and density. Delayed logging resulted in the lowest seedling density and regeneration. Fire severity had a negative influence on regeneration density. The findings indicate that site conditions and fire severity have a stronger influence on natural regeneration of maritime pine than subsequent post-fire management treatments. In order to ensure the presence of maritime pine in pure or mixed stands, silvicultural work is required to control competition from other species and reduce the risk of new wildfires.

Формирование морфологии деревьев культивируемых сосновых древостоев

The aim of this study is to assess the qualitative characteristics of the crowns, stems and growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees in cultivated stands of a dry forest on gently sloping hills thinned in a regular-uniform manner, as well as to develop proposals for production based on the data obtained. The stands under study grow in the southwestern part of the ribbon forests of the Altai Territory in the territory of the Klyuchevskoye forestry. The thinning was carried out in 2016 as part of the planned forest maintenance activities. The field stage of the research was completed in 2022. The sample plots laid had a rectangular shape and a square of at least 0.25 ha. The assessment of the qualitative characteristics of the trees has been carried out in accordance with the classification proposed by G.A. Chibisov et al. The significance of differences (or their absence) in the tree distribution by quality categories in the plots has been established using the χ2 test for comparing two distributions. The article presents the taxation characteristics of the main forest element of the stands under study, the quality indices for the assessed tree indicators, and the graphs of tree distribution by diameter and quality classes. It has been found that most of the trees have poor crowns (27–45 %) and growth (14–41 %). Such indicators are a consequence of an excessively high density of the stands and the lack of timely thinning. Regular-uniform thinning of moderate and moderately high intensity has contributed to an increase in the quality class of the trees. The impact of high and very high intensity thinning on the stands has been negative. Based on the conducted research, it is recommended to carry out thinning at an earlier age of the stand, abandon the regular-uniform thinning in favor of selective thinning using the grassroots method (if possible) and carry out thinning along the largest exploitable diameter of 10 cm in the studied forest stands and similar ones. The study can be continued by establishing the optimal exploitable diameter in younger plantations and in other types of forests, as well as determining the intervals of optimal density of pine stands of different ages and different types of forest. The results obtained can be useful in designing economic activities in the study area.

Elevation-dependent tree growth response to climate in a natural Scots pine/downy birch forest in northern Sweden.

Forests dominate the landscape at high latitudes in the boreal regions and contribute significantly to the global carbon stock. Large areas are protected and provide possibilities to analyze natural forest dynamics including resilience to climate change. In Fennoscandia, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) often coexist in natural forests close to the limits of their ecological ranges. Tree growth in these forests is generally thought to be limited by temperature, and changes in growth trends can therefore serve as early indicators of the impact of global warming on natural ecosystems. We sampled 592 Scots pine and downy birch trees along two elevational gradients spanning the transition from the forest zone to the coniferous treeline in Tjeggelvas nature reserve, northern Sweden. Based on the tree-ring data, we compared annual basal area increment (BAI) trends from 1902 to 2021, analyzed the ring-width indices (RWI) in relation to local climate data, and investigated trends in climate-growth relationships. We found that the mean annual growth of both species was higher in more recent years than at the beginning of the 20th century. The RWI were positively correlated with summer temperatures, however, we found a much stronger relationship for Scots pine than downy birch. We noticed a decrease in the importance of summer temperature for Scots pine growth, whereas the importance of late spring temperatures increased over the 120-year-long study period. Due to strongly positive BAI trends combined with a decrease in temperature sensitivity, the overall conclusion of our study is that the influence of increasing temperatures is still positive and outweighs the negative impacts of climate change on Scots pine growth in natural forests in northern Sweden, particularly at higher elevations. Natural forests are important natural experiments that contrast the managed forests and are key to understanding the latter.

Влияние рекреации на радиальный прирост сосны обыкновенной

The article deals with the stages of recreational digression of different biogeocenoses in the Shirokovsky district forestry of the National Park “Buzuluksky Bor” and the peculiarities of radial growth of the common pine as a dominant stand. The aim of the work was to analyze the comparative response of the common pine trees in the zone of active recreation and in undisturbed areas. The presence or absence of undergrowth, understorey, projective cover and dominance of indicator plants were noted. Sub-tree enumeration with averaged data was carried out on temporary sample plots. Using a Flir i7 thermal imager, the presence or absence and localization of stem and root rots of pine from sponges were determined. A decrease in the total projective cover of the living ground cover and the number of forest species was observed, with an increase in the number of cereal species as recreational digression increased. As recreation intensifies, undergrowth and understorey disappears. It was noted that with increasing stages of digression the monotony of undergrowth species composition appears, the density and height of forest litter decreases, the number of trees infected with rots and infested with stem pests (black pine moustache, pine bark beetles, six-toothed bark beetle, apex bark beetle) increases. Changes in all components of biogeocenosis lead to loss of stability of forest phytocenosis as a whole. Even a simple stay of a large number of people in the forest leads to degradation of plant communities.

Выращивание культур кедра сибирского в условиях повреждаемости дикими животными

The research of 26-year-old mixed plantations of Siberian spruce and Siberian stone pine cultivated by biogroups of about 300 pcs/ha (2–5 stone pine seedlings alternating 4–9 spruce seedlings in a row) has shown that the damage rate by moose to them is much lower than to pure stone pine plantations or the mixed ones of Siberian stone pines and Scots pines we have studied before. The share of biogroups containing damaged stone pine trees is 18 %. A third of this number is plantations with damage to all the trees. This is most pronounced in biogroups of 4 to 5 stone pines as well as in case of frequent alternation of biogroups in a row. 76 % living stone pines have been preserved (89.3 % of them without damage to the stem). About two thirds of them (about 500 pcs/ha) grow in the crown of spruce trees adjacent to stone pine biogroups. Prolonged exposure to growing in a spruce tree crown negatively affects the growth of a stone pine’s central shoot and crown. We are the first in the Middle Urals to propose a scheme for cultivating sustained productive mixed plantations of Siberian stone pines and Siberian spruce trees (or Norway spruce trees). Stone pines are planted in biogroups of 2–3 seedlings, beginning the planting strictly on one side of the site. The first biogroup in odd-numbered rows (1, 2, 3, 5, etc.) is planted after 3 spruce seedlings from the beginning of the row, the second and subsequent biogroups in these rows – after 9 spruce seedlings. The first biogroup in even-numbered rows (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) is planted after 9 spruce seedlings from the beginning of the row, maintaining this sequence until the end of the row. Every row in mixed plantations is concluded with planting no less than 3 spruce seedlings. During silvicultural treatment procedures natural regeneration is completely removed: softwoods – by mechanical means, and hard woods – by ringing or injection of environmentally friendly water-based chemicals. These measures reduce or eliminate the appearance of coppice and, accordingly, food reserve for wild animals. Spruce trees adjacent to stone pine biogroups are cut down while lightening and thinning, which creates the possibility for the growth of stone pines. The proposed method for cultivating plantations of Siberian stone pines and Siberian spruce trees has been patented. It can be introduced into silvicultural practice in the taiga zone where stone pines are grown.

Growth Response of Thai Pine (Pinus latteri) to Climate Drivers in Tak Province of Northwestern Thailand

The long-term effects of climate change and climate extremes have been associated with changes in tree growth and forest productivity worldwide, and dendrochronological analyses are important tools that can be used to investigate the influence of climatic forces on tree growth at a particular site. In this study, a 180-year tree ring width chronology (spanning from 1843 to 2022) of living pine trees (Pinus latteri) in Tak province, northwestern Thailand, was developed. The analysis of the climate–tree growth relationship indicated the influences of the annual total rainfall (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) and annual averaged relative humidity (r = 0.47, p < 0.001) on tree growth in this area. Anomalously high (for example, in 1853, 1984, 2011, and 2018) and low growths (for example, in 1954, 1983, 1992, and 1996) were found. Growth anomalies in the Thai pine in this study were related to changes in abnormal and extreme rainfall (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Our results confirm that rainfall and relative humidity are the main climatic factors regulating the radial growth of Thai pine. This finding could be an important contribution to further research on the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on the vulnerability of tropical and subtropical trees in this region.

Increasing Winter Temperatures Stimulate Scots Pine Growth in the North German Lowlands Despite Stationary Sensitivity to Summer Drought

More than half of the forest area of the North German Lowlands is stocked with Scots pine-dominated forests, mostly plantations. Climate change suggests a declining suitability of Europe’s temperate zone for conifer plantations, but only a few studies have examined the long-term growth trends of Scots pine in relation to environmental and site factors in this region. We studied the radial growth patterns of Scots pine over the last 60 years at ten sites along a precipitation gradient (830–530 mm mean annual precipitation) from an oceanic to a subcontinental climate, analyzing the spatial and temporal variability of the climate sensitivity of growth to identify the main climatic factors influencing pine growth across this gradient, which covers a large part of the species’ tolerated precipitation range. Annual radial increment was sensitive to late-winter temperatures (February, March) and summer drought and heat (June–August), with sensitivity increasing from the oceanic to the drier continental sites. Warmer late-winter periods apparently have stimulated growth during the last decades, while the sensitivity to summer-drought has remained fairly stable. Until recently, the negative impact of warming summers on growth has been compensated by the positive effect of late-winter warming, resulting in stable (or increasing) growth trends. However, our comparison of the climate sensitivity across sites suggests that the drought effect compensation through winter warming will in future be limited by increasing drought exposure. Thus, future productivity declines are likely in the northern German lowlands despite warming winters, discouraging large-scale pine plantations in the face of climate warming.

100 years of change in an old-growth Scots pine forest in Hamra National Park: insights from permanent plots established in central Sweden in 1922

ABSTRACT Hamra National Park in the province of Dalarna in central Sweden was established in 1909 to protect a unique unlogged old-growth forest. In 1922, Henrik Hesselman set up two permanent plots in Hamra to be able to follow the development of the forest over time. In 2022, we re-inventoried the Scots pine-dominated plot and found that (1) the number of trees in the plot almost doubled from 593 trees in 1922 to 1013 trees in 2022, (2) Norway spruces are starting to take over the initially Scots pine-dominated plot, (3) the basal area of dead trees has increased by 286% and (4) the variability in annual Scots pine growth has increased over the studied time period. Given this strong deviation from the original state of the forest, we suggest restoring part of the forest to its early-1900s state while allowing the permanent plot to evolve naturally.

Comparing the effects of ground cultivation and protection against browsing upon the natural regeneration of Scots pine and birch in a Caledonian pinewood

Abstract The Caledonian pinewoods of northern Scotland represent the remnants of once extensive forests found at the western edge of the natural range of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The surviving pinewoods are of international significance and are of high conservation and cultural value. However, for many decades, there has been concern about their long-term future because of a lack of regenerating seedlings and young trees. This problem is thought to be driven by high deer populations resulting in intensive browsing and severe damage to young trees, as well as a lack of favourable micro-sites for seedling germination. An experiment was established on the Mar Lodge estate in 2007–08 adjacent to native pinewood stands to test the effects of protection and site cultivation upon seedling numbers and growth. The experiment was located within a regeneration zone where intensive deer control had reduced numbers to <5 animals km−2. Ten years after initiation, occurrence and numbers of both Scots pine and birch seedlings were substantially increased in cultivated treatments compared with uncultivated controls. There were no effects of protection upon seedling numbers. Protection improved height growth of Scots pine, but not of birch. Cultivation had no effect upon the growth of pine seedlings but did influence the height of birch seedlings due to the rapid growth of some pre-existing seedlings in the uncultivated control. Vegetation cover had increased from ~60%to at least 80% cover 6 years after cultivation. The results suggest that site cultivation may be desirable to boost seedling germination within a Caledonian pinewood, but sustained measures to control browsing pressure are a prerequisite for satisfactory establishment of these seedlings.

Neighborhood Tree Position and Size Had Hierarchical Effects on Korean Pine Growth at Different Opening Degree Levels

Certain fluctuations were found when using the opening degree index to evaluate the effects of the adjacent broadleaved trees on the under-canopy target Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) trees in a mixed forest of planted Korean trees and natural broadleaved trees. The fluctuations were probably caused by the different positions and sizes of the adjacent broadleaved trees over the target Korean pine trees. For the purpose of clarifying this issue, the effect of the position and size (marked by height and diameter) of the neighborhood broadleaved trees on the height and diameter growth of Korean pine trees under the canopy in a secondary forest at different opening degree levels was studied. Generally, the mean DBH (diameter at breast height) and mean height of P. koraiensis trees under the canopy were higher when the adjacent broadleaved trees were located on the north or east sides of the target P. koraiensis trees than when they were located on the south or west sides. This was the case at all opening degree levels except the 0.5 opening degree level, where no significant difference was observed among the growth indexes of Korean pine trees based on the different positions of neighborhood trees. The mean DBH and height of P. koraiensis trees under the canopy decreased with the increase in the DBH and height of the adjacent broadleaved trees at all orientations and at all opening degree levels, but only those of the Korean pine trees with adjacent broadleaved trees on the south side in the 12.6–13.5 m height range and those with adjacent broadleaved trees on most sides in the 18.6–21.0 cm and 13.6–14.5 m height ranges at opening degree levels of K = 2.0, 1.5, and 1.0 reached a significant level of difference; whereas those of most Korean pine trees with adjacent broadleaved trees on the south and west sides in the height range of 11.6–12.5 m and DBH ranges of 13.6–16 cm and 16.1–18.5 cm, as well as the ones with adjacent broadleaved trees on most sides in the DBH range of 18.6–21.0 cm and the height range of 13.6–14.5 m at the opening degree level of K = 0.5, reached a significant level of difference, with a few exceptions. In conclusion, the broadleaved trees with a large diameter, great height, and a south or west orientation of the target P. koraiensis trees had a negative impact on their growth, but influence intensities changed at different opening degree levels.

Tracheids vs. Tree Rings as Proxies for Dendroclimatic Reconstruction at High Altitude: The Case of Pinus sibirica Du Tour

Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) is a widespread and long-lived species in the northern hemisphere, which makes it a good potential proxy for climatic data. However, the tree-ring growth of this species weakly correlates with climatic conditions, which prevents its use in dendroclimatic reconstruction. It was proposed to use the measurements of tracheid characteristics as model predictors to reconstruct the smoothed temperature of the key periods in tree growth. In this study, algorithms for preprocessing tracheids and temperature data, as well as for model cross-validation, were developed to produce reliable high-resolution (weekly-based) temperature reconstructions. Due to the developed algorithms, the key time periods of Siberian pine growth were identified during the growing season—early June (most active cell development) and mid-July (setting new buds for the next growing season). For these time periods, reliable long-term temperature reconstructions (R2 > 0.6, p < 10−8) were obtained over 1653–2018. The temperature reconstructions significantly correlated (p < 10−8) with independent reanalysis data for the 19th century. The developed approach, based on preprocessing tracheid and temperature data, shows new potential for Siberian pine in high-resolution climate reconstructions and can be applied to other tree species that weakly respond to climate forcing.

Natural regeneration and early development of Scots pine seedlings after gap cutting in northern Finland

ABSTRACT In the northern boreal region, tree growth, timber yields and economic returns are low, meaning low regeneration costs are the basis of profitable forestry. If natural regeneration is successful, it may be favoured over expensive planting or seeding. We studied the regeneration success and early growth of Scots pine in gaps in terms of seedling density and height 10 years after gap cuttings in central Finnish Lapland. Three gap sizes (diameters of 20, 40, and 80 m) were studied on patch scarified xeric and sub-xeric sites in six random blocks and a total of 18 replicates of each. The number of pine seedlings was high across the gap sizes. The proportion of empty regeneration plots (size 5 m2) was ∼ 2%. Site preparation substantially increased the number of seedlings. The growth of seedlings was faster in larger gaps, but a high proportion of exposed mineral soil decreased it. The results suggest that all studied gap sizes regenerated naturally well, and that soil scarification exposing 10–20% of the surface area or even less can be enough to achieve regeneration goals. Gaps of a diameter of 40 m or more are required to achieve an optimal balance between seedling density and growth.

Climate Sensitivity and Drought Legacy of Tree Growth in Plantation Forests in Northeast China Are Species- and Age-Dependent

The occurrence, frequency, and severity of drought are accelerating due to global warming. Understanding the vulnerability of plantation forests to climate change, particularly to drought events, is critical to revealing the underlying mechanisms of tree resilience, recovery, and acclimation, which are important for plantation management. How the stand age affects the climate sensitivity of tree growth, as well as the direction, magnitude, and duration of the drought legacy, in plantation forests in northeast China is still unclear. In this study, we used MODIS-derived NDVI time series with gridded climate data from 2000 to 2020 to fill this knowledge gap. The selected plantation forests were dominated by four coniferous species: Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), and Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii). The results show that the climate sensitivity of tree growth differed among species and age groups. The growth of Korean pine and Scots pine was mostly dependent upon precipitation, while the growth of Japanese larch and Dahurian larch was determined primarily by temperature. Old Japanese larch (21–40 years) and Dahurian larch trees (31–60 years) were more sensitive to temperature and precipitation than young conspecifics, whereas old Korean pine (41–60 years) and Scots pine (31–60 years) were less sensitive to precipitation and temperature than young conspecifics. Furthermore, the legacy of drought lasted one year for Korean pine, Japanese larch, and Dahurian larch and over three years for Scots pine. Old trees were more severely affected by drought, particularly Scots pine and Dahurian larch. The findings of the study can help improve plantation forest management for better adaptation to future climate change.