Scots Pine Needles Research Articles

Levels of selected trace elements in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula L.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) in an urbanized environment.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of selected trace elements in needles and bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), leaves and bark of silver birch (Betula pendula L.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), as well as in the soil in which the trees grew, depending on their localization and hence the distribution of local pollution sources. The content of trace elements in needles of Scots pine, leaves of silver birch, and Norway maple and in bark of these trees depended on the location, tree species, and analyzed organ. The content of Fe, Mn, and Zn in needles, leaves, and bark of the examined tree species was significantly higher than that of the other elements. The highest average content of Fe and Mn was detected in leaves of Norway maple whereas the highest average content of Zn was found in silver birch leaves. The impact of such locations as the center of Olsztyn or roadside along Road 51 on the content of individual elements tended to be more pronounced than the influence of the other locations. The influence of the sampling sites on the content of trace elements in tree bark was less regular than the analogous effect in needles and leaves. Moreover, the relevant dependences were slightly different for Scots pine than for the other two tree species. The concentrations of heavy metals determined in the soil samples did not exceed the threshold values set in the Regulation of the Minister for the Environment, although the soil along Road 51 and in the center of Olsztyn typically had the highest content of these elements. There were also significant correlations between the content of some trace elements in soil and their accumulation in needles, leaves, and bark of trees.

Analysis of the parameters of the assimilation component of aboveground biomass of forest-forming species in the steppe zone of Ukraine

The purpose this research is to study the parameters of leaf (needle) share in the trees’ greenery fraction and the content of absolutely dry matter in fresh leaves of black locust and Scots pine. The leaf (needle) share in the trees greenery fraction and the content of absolutely dry matter were determined by their quantitative measures (weight and volume). The results of the research reveal that the leaf share in the structure of a tree’s greenery fraction has a broad range of values: 43.0–72.8% for black locust and 49.1–75.4% for Scots pine. The minimum value of this parameter was recorded for an overmature Robinia specimen of 41 years of age, while the maximum was for a 3-year-old tree. For pine trees the lowest values of the given parameter were registered for the spcimens aged 38, 49 and 84, the maximum – for 30–31-year-old trees. For both investigated species it should be noted that there is a consistent pattern indicated by the following trend line: with the increase of tree age, height and trunk diameter, there is a decrease of leaf share value in the trees’ greenery fraction. Such characteristic parameter as absolutely dry mass has a sufficient range of values from 0.321 to 0.524, with the extreme values for the trees belonging to the young stock group in the case of the black locust. The absolutely dry matter content in Scots pine needles showed a significant variability of values from 0.426 to 0.620. The trend line shows a tendency of increase in the value of absolutely dry matter mass in the leaves of both investigated species with the increase in the values of the tree taxation parameters. There is no statistically proven dependency of the parameter indicating leaf share in the trees greenery fraction on the age, trunk diameter and height of trees. The most important biometric indicator, which shows a moderate relationship with the greenery fraction of a tree is the average diameter of the trunk of model trees of the two studied species. This is confirmed by values of correlation coefficients. The indicator of greenery fraction is inversely dependent on the height, trunk diameter and tree age, i.e. the increase in the values of these parameters leads to the decrease in the share of the photosynthetic active component of trees of the studied tree species in the steppe zone. The value of leaf (needle) share in trees’ greenery fraction decreases with the increasing age, height and diameter values, which is quite natural. Correlation indices of absolutely dry matter according to age, height and diameter of sample trees have negative values, while the index of leaf (needle) share of trees’ greenery fraction has a direct correlation with all the studied influence factors.

Spatiotemporal patterns and potential sources of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles from Europe.

Using pine needles as a bio-sampler of atmospheric contamination is a relatively cheap and easy method, particularly for remote sites. Therefore, pine needles have been used to monitor a range of semi-volatile contaminants in the air. In the present study, pine needles were used to monitor polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air at sites with different land use types in Sweden (SW), Czech Republic (CZ), and Slovakia (SK). Spatiotemporal patterns in levels and congener profiles were investigated. Multivariate analysis was used to aid source identification. A comparison was also made between the profile of indicator PCBs (ind-PCBs-PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) in pine needles and those in active and passive air samplers. Concentrations in pine needles were 220-5100ngkg(-1) (∑18PCBs - ind-PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs)) and 0.045-1.7ngtoxic equivalent (TEQ)kg(-1) (dry weight (dw)). Thermal sources (e.g., waste incineration) were identified as important sources of PCBs in pine needles. Comparison of profiles in pine needles to active and passive air samplers showed a lesser contribution of lower molecular weight PCBs 28 and 52, as well as a greater contribution of higher molecular weight PCBs (e.g., 180) in pine needles. The dissimilarities in congener profiles were attributed to faster degradation of lower chlorinated congeners from the leaf surface or metabolism by the plant.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and metals in scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles from Eastern and Northern Europe: Spatiotemporal patterns, and potential sources

Pine needles were sampled to determine levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and metals in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles at industrial, urban and background sites in Sweden (SW), Czech Republic (CZ) and Slovakia (SK). Spatial and temporal patterns of PCDD/Fs in pine needles were investigated and principal component analysis (PCA) used to determine spatial patterns, potential sources and transport of PCDD/Fs. Levels of PCDD/Fs in pine needles were generally greatest near to industrial sites (Ʃ2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs (lower bound (LB)): 6 ng kg−1 – 190 ng kg−1) compared to urban and background sites (Ʃ2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs (LB): 0.90 ng kg−1 – 20 ng kg−1). Using metal contamination in pine needles helped to detect spatial patterns and separate local thermal sources of PCDD/Fs.

Seasonal dynamics of nitrogen level and gas exchange in different cohorts of Scots pine needles: a conflict between nitrogen mobilization and photosynthesis?

Needles of evergreen conifers are not only photosynthetic organs, but they may also serve as storage sites for carbohydrates and nutrients. Since nitrogen is both a component of photosynthetically active molecules and a nutrient stored in the needles and mobilized for shoot regrowth, we searched for evidence of a trade-off between needle N storage and photosynthetic capacity. Using sequential sampling, we tracked seasonal patterns in needle structure, nitrogen (N mass) and carbohydrate concentration, and gas exchange in needles of all age classes (current-year, 1- and 2-year-old) present on Pinus sylvestris trees. In both 1- and 2-year-old needles, N mass increased slightly in the spring, fell subsequently after the onset of shoot growth, followed by replenishment in 1-year-old and further decline until abscission in 2-year-old needles. However, only 2-year-old needles showed a positive correlation between N mass and photosynthesis, consistent with their overall lower N level that indicated a tighter N budget. The 2-year-old needles had a higher leaf mass per area and lower photosynthesis in comparison with 1-year-old needles. They also had a lower photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, which suggests that in addition to N withdrawal, structural change and biochemical modifications might have contributed to photosynthetic decline in the final year of needle life. Thus, whereas seasonal N mobilization observed in 1-year-old needles did not seem to interfere with photosynthetic potential, resorption of N could have contributed to gradual photosynthetic decline in 2-year-old needles.

Fungal succession in relation to volatile organic compounds emissions from Scots pine and Norway spruce leaf litter-decomposing fungi

Leaf litter fungi are partly responsible for decomposition of dead material, nutrient mobilization and gas fluxes in forest ecosystems. It can be assumed that microbial destruction of dead plant materials is an important source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted into the atmosphere from terrestrial ecosystems. However, little information is available on both the composition of fungal VOCs and their producers whose community can be changed at different stages of litter decomposition. The fungal community succession was investigated in a litter bag experiment with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) needle litter. The succession process can be divided into a several stages controlled mostly by changes in litter quality. At the very first stages of decomposition the needle litter was colonized by ascomycetes which can use readily available carbohydrates. At the later stages, the predominance of Trichoderma sp., the known producers of cellulolytic enzymes, was documented. To investigate the fungi-derived VOCs, eight fungi species were isolated. As a result of gas chromatographic analyses, as many as 75C2C15 fungal volatile compounds were identified. Most components detected in emissions were very reactive substances: the principal groups of VOCs were formed by monoterpenes, carbonyl compounds and aliphatic alcohols. It was found that production of VOCs by fungi is species specific: only 10 metabolites were emitted into the gas phase by all eight species. The reported data confirm that the leave litter decomposition is important source of reactive organic compounds under the forest canopy.

NITROGEN, BORON AND AMINO ACID LEVELS IN THE NEEDLES OF SCOTS PINE SEEDLINGS WITH CONTROLLED NITROGEN AND BORON SUPPLY

The content of nitrogen, boron and free amino acids were studied in needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings as related to variations in nitrogen and boron availability. Interrelated effects of nitrogen and boron on the amino acid composition in needles were identified. Boron content in needles rose in line with boric acid dosage, and application of nitrogen reduced boron levels in needles. The high nitrogen and the optimal boron doses enlarged the content of total and protein nitrogen and total free amino acids in needles. Nitrogen applications in combination with three different levels of boron availability mainly raised arginine levels, but also promoted the content of ornithine and lysine. The content of OH-lysine, glutamic and aspartic acids, alanine, serine, threonine, proline and methionine in needles increased when boron was deficient, and rose when boron supply was optimal. Optimization of boron nutrition in low nitrogen settings raised total free amino acid content in needles owing to a rise in glutamic and aspartic acids, alanine and OH-lysine, whereas in high nitrogen settings the rise was mainly owing to arginine. Phenylalanine and tyrosine levels in the latter case also rose, but the levels of the rest of amino acids declined. Application of the high dose of boric acid against two nitrogen backgrounds in- duced a reduction or a downward trend in the content of all forms of nitrogen and a major- ity of free amino acids in needles, except for cysteine in a simultaneous low- and proline in a high nitrogen treatment.

Особливості нагромадження опаду в грабово-сосново-дубових деревостанах, сформованих на зрубах поступових рубок в умовах Львівського Розточчя

Проаналізовано річну динаміку опаду та його фракцій (хвоя сосни звичайної; листя дуба звичайного; листя супутніх порід; гілки; кора; шишки сосни звичайної; жолуді дуба звичайного; насіння інших порід; плюски жолудів, крилатки насіння; лишайники, мохи) у середньовікових грабово-сосново-дубових деревостанах, які сформувалися природним шляхом на зрубах різних способів поступових рубок головного користування (рівномірна поступова дво- і триприйомна та групово-вибіркова 3-прийомна), і в стиглому материнському деревостані (контроль) в умовах Львівського Розточчя. Як на контрольній, так і на експериментальних ділянках виявлено три піки опадання органічної маси протягом року: найбільший у жовтні і два менші – у зимовий період і в травні. Встановлено, що річна маса опаду становить 5-6 т/га, а способи рубок безпосередньо не впливають на частку опалої органічної маси та її річну динаміку.

Late stage pine litter decomposition: Relationship to litter N, Mn, and acid unhydrolyzable residue (AUR) concentrations and climatic factors

The aim of this paper is to evaluate relationships between decomposition rates of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta) needle litter in the late stage of decomposition (>30% accumulated mass loss), and the progressively changing concentrations of manganese (Mn), nitrogen (N), and acid unhydrolyzable residue (AUR), as well as mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP). Using available long-term decomposition studies on pine needle litter in a climate gradient in Sweden, we calculated annual mass loss and related to concentrations of Mn, N, and AUR at the start of each one-year period as well as to MAT and MAP. We investigated these relationships for (i) all data on annual mass loss combined and (ii) annual mass loss for five different decomposition categories as defined by accumulated mass loss.We found highly significant, negative, and dominant relationships between annual mass loss and N (R2=0.39) and AUR (R2=0.39), a slight but significant positive relationship to Mn (R2=0.08) and a significant negative relationship to MAT (R2=0.06). The relationships were dynamic, and changed with accumulated mass loss. The rate-dampening effect of N decreased to be a rate-enhancing effect at c. 60–80% accumulated mass loss. A similar trend was found for AUR, becoming rate-enhancing at 70–80% accumulated mass loss. For Scots pine needle litter the effect of MAT on mass loss decreased with increasing accumulated mass loss and changed to a rate-dampening effect at c. 50–70% accumulated mass loss. Mn showed a stimulating effect on mass loss rate in all categories whereas MAP showed no effect in this mainly boreal climatic gradient.The current approach indicates a method for detailed studies of rate-regulating factors for litter decomposition.

Changes in fungal community of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) needles along a latitudinal gradient in Sweden

Abstract Conifer needles are typically long lived and can host a diverse community of fungal species with various effects on their host tree. The purpose of this study was to analyse shifts in the fungal community of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) needles on different spatial scales using 454 pyrosequencing. The fungal community composition changed gradually along a north-south gradient through Sweden, representing boreal to temperate vegetation zones. OTU richness and Shannon's diversity index increased with increasing latitude, but only in naturally regenerated forests. On the tree level, needles with symptoms of disease hosted a more diverse mycobiota compared to healthy needles, presumably supporting more pathogenic or saprotrophic species. This study provides a better insight into the patterns of fungal communities of Scots pine needles and highlights the need for further experimental research to identify specific environmental factors shaping the abundance of different fungal species.

Soil processes and tree growth at shooting ranges in a boreal forest reflect contamination history and lead-induced changes in soil food webs

The effects of shooting-derived lead (Pb) on the structure and functioning of a forest ecosystem, and the recovery of the ecosystem after range abandonment were studied at an active shotgun shooting range, an abandoned shooting range where shooting ceased 20years earlier and an uncontaminated control site. Despite numerous lead-induced changes in the soil food web, soil processes were only weakly related to soil food web composition. However, decomposition of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needle litter was retarded at the active shooting range, and microbial activity, microbial biomass and the rate of decomposition of Pb-contaminated grass litter decreased with increasing soil Pb concentrations. Tree (P. sylvestris) radial growth was suppressed at the active shooting range right after shooting activities started. In contrast, the growth of pines improved at the abandoned shooting range after the cessation of shooting, despite reduced nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the needles. Higher litter degradation rates and lower Pb concentrations in the topmost soil layer at the abandoned shooting range suggest gradual recovery after range abandonment. Our findings suggest that functions in lead-contaminated coniferous forest ecosystems depend on the successional stage of the forest as well as the time since the contamination source has been eliminated, which affects, e.g., the vertical distribution of the contaminant in the soil. However, despite multiple lead-induced changes throughout the ecosystem, the effects were rather weak, indicating high resistance of coniferous forest ecosystems to this type of stress.

Selectivity of Pinus sylvestris extract and essential oil to estrogen-insensitive breast cancer cells Pinus sylvestris against cancer cells.

Background:So far, the anticancer action of pine tree extracts has mainly been shown for the species distributed widely around the Asian countries.Objective:Therefore, this study was performed to examine the potential cytotoxicity of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) native also to the European region and growing widely in Estonia.Materials and Methods:The cytotoxic activity of methanol extract and essential oil of Scots pine needles was determined by sulforhodamine B assay in different human cancer cell lines.Results:This needle extract was found to suppress the viability of several human cancer cell lines showing some selectivity to estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231(half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] 35 μg/ml) in comparison with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, MCF-7 (IC50 86 μg/ml). It is the strongest cytotoxic effect at all measured, thus far for the needles and leaves extracts derived from various pine species, and is also the first study comparing the anticancer effects of pine tree extracts on molecularly different human breast cancer cells. The essential oil showed the stronger cytotoxic effect to both negative and positive breast cancer cell lines (both IC50 29 μg/ml) than pine extract (IC50 42 and 80 μg/ml, respectively).Conclusion:The data from this report indicate that Scots pine needles extract and essential oil exhibits some potential as chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent for mammary tumors unresponsive to endocrine treatment.

Visible and near infrared hyperspectral imaging reveals significant differences in needle reflectance among Scots pine provenances

Abstract Genetic diversity is an important indicator of forest sustainability requiring particular attention and new methods to obtain fast and cheap estimates of genetic diversity. We assessed the differences in visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectral reflectance properties of detached shoots of several distant Scots pine provenances aiming to identify the most informative spectral wavebands and the seasonal time for the genetic diversity scoring. Shoots of five trees per provenance were sampled at two week intervals during the active growth and fall. The samples were scanned using a hyperspectral camera, equipped with a highly sensitive spectrometer capable of covering the spectral range of 400-1000 nm with a sampling interval of 0.6 nm. The ANOVAs revealed significant provenance effects on the spectral reflectance at variable spectral intervals depending on the sampling occasion. During the active growth, PCA identified the most informative wavebands over whole spectral range investigated. During the shoot/needle hardiness development, NIR was the most informative. Provenance ranking in spectral reflectance returned geographically interpretable pattern. We conclude that there are significant provenance attributable and interpretable differences in spectral reflectance of Scots pine needles providing a good opportunity for detecting this spectral variation with the hyperspectral imaging technique.

A new sustainable strategy for medicinal plants protection against stress?

Plants in greenhouses are seldom exposed to UV-B radiation, a natural part of the solar spectrum. UV-B can give broad stress responses and increased resistance to stress, e.g. pathogens and herbivores. UV-B exposure already in the greenhouse may prepare the plants for outdoor conditions. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles were analyzed regarding content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (a measure of lipid peroxidation) [1], total phenolic substances [2] and dehydrin gene expression [3]. Stress response in seedlings moved outdoors two months after sowing was compared with control seedlings left in the greenhouse and seedlings moved outdoors but covered by a non-woven fabric. Unprotected seedlings showed increased levels of TBARS and phenolic substances, while covered seedlings were unchanged (Fig. 1). Changed expression of defense related genes is a common response to stress. One dehydrin gene in pine (PsDhn5) was downregulated in unprotected seedlings. The effects on oxidative stress (TBARS) and defense (phenolic substances) is in line with visible stress related symptoms on conifer seedlings when moved outdoors, and could therefore be a tool in development of a new protecting strategy. Downregulation of PsDhn5 fits well with our results showing downregulation of this gene by drought stress. Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in plant defense induction [4]. Spruce seedlings exposed to UV-B have shown epigenetic changes and increased release of terpenoids with known effects on pine weevil behaviour [5]. This sustainable way of plant protection can be a new strategy for some medicinal plants against biotic and abiotic stress.

Molecular identification and relative abundance of cryptic Lophodermium species in natural populations of Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L.

The multi-locus phylogenetic species recognition approach and population genetic analysis of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to delineate Lophodermium taxa inhabiting needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in native pinewoods within Scotland. These analyses revealed three major lineages corresponding to the morphological species Lophodermium seditiosum and Lophodermium conigenum, fruiting on broken branches, and Lophodermium pinastri, fruiting on naturally fallen needles. Within L. pinastri three well supported sister clades were found representing cryptic taxa designated L. pinastri I, L. pinastri II, and L. pinastri III. Significant differences in mean growth rate in culture were found among the cryptic taxa. Taxon-specific primers based on ITS sequences were designed and used to classify over 500 Lophodermium isolates, derived from fallen needles of P. sylvestris in three Scottish and one French pinewood site, into the three L. pinastri cryptic taxa. Highly significant differences in the relative abundance of the three taxa were found among the Scottish pinewood sites, and between the French and all of the Scottish sites.

Evergreen foliage allows early hatching in a pine processionary moth and escape from predation

1. Seasonal variation in leaf quality and climate conditions often imposes constraints on the temporal occurrence of tree‐feeding insect larvae, but the seasonal effects of predation have received limited attention. In temperate climate zones, both the abundance and activity of predators can be expected to vary over time.2. The study reported herein examined the impact of temporal variation in predator activity levels on the life history of an herbivorous insect feeding on a constant food source: previous‐year needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). In field experiments, the survival and growth rates of colonies of Thaumetopoea pinivora Treitschke larvae that had been manipulated to hatch at three different dates were compared. Eggs of T. pinivora usually hatch by mid‐April in southern Sweden, which is earlier than most other herbivorous insects that overwinter as eggs in this region.3. Predator exclusion experiments indicated that larvae which hatched later than April experienced a higher level of predator activity, mainly by ants. The final larval size and the timing of pupation were not affected by hatching date. First instar larvae were more extensively preyed on than second instars.4. The life history of herbivore species can be affected by seasonal variation in predation pressures. This study suggests that early hatching in a lepidopteran species can allow a temporal escape from predation during the vulnerable early life stages.

Nitrogen and carbon reallocation in fungal mycelia during decomposition of boreal forest litter.

Boreal forests are characterized by spatially heterogeneous soils with low N availability. The decomposition of coniferous litter in these systems is primarily performed by basidiomycete fungi, which often form large mycelia with a well-developed capacity to reallocate resources spatially- an advantageous trait in heterogeneous environments. In axenic microcosm systems we tested whether fungi increase their biomass production by reallocating N between Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) needles at different stages of decomposition. We estimated fungal biomass production by analysing the accumulation of the fungal cell wall compound chitin. Monospecific systems were compared with systems with interspecific interactions. We found that the fungi reallocated assimilated N and mycelial growth away from well-degraded litter towards fresh litter components. This redistribution was accompanied by reduced decomposition of older litter. Interconnection of substrates increased over-all fungal C use efficiency (i.e. the allocation of assimilated C to biomass rather than respiration), presumably by enabling fungal translocation of growth-limiting N to litter with higher C quality. Fungal connection between different substrates also restricted N-mineralization and production of dissolved organic N, suggesting that litter saprotrophs in boreal forest ecosystems primarily act to redistribute rather than release N. This spatial integration of different resource qualities was hindered by interspecific interactions, in which litters of contrasting quality were colonised by two different basidiomycete species. The experiments provide a detailed picture of how resource reallocation in two decomposer fungi leads to a more efficient utilisation of spatially separated resources under N-limitation. From an ecosystem point of view, such economic fungal behaviour could potentially contribute to organic matter accumulation in the litter layers of boreal forests.

Phenolic compounds distribution along the lenght of Scots pine needles in a polluted and control environment and its connection with necroses formation

Phenolic compounds distribution was studied along the length of Scots pine needles from trees in a polluted and a control site. There is no significant difference in the content of total phenols between the studied sites. There are significant differences in distribution of phenolics along the length of needles. The highest content is in the tip part of the needle and the lowest at the base. This kind of distribution suggests a role of these compounds in the processes of necroses formation. The content of phenolic compounds is positively correlated with the toxic elements - fluorine and aluminium and negatively with the macroelements - phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.

State of scots pine needles’ epicuticular waxes and content of microelements in bioindication

State of scots pine needles’ epicuticular waxes and content of microelements in bioindication

Inter-specific competition and management modify the morphology, nutrient content and resorption in Scots pine needles

Influence of tree-to-tree competition on nutrient resorption is still not well understood. To contribute filling this gap, we assessed the effects of thinning (0, 20 and 30 % extraction of basal area) and canopy type (beech–pine vs. pine subplots) on needle dry weight, needle length, nutrient content and nutrient resorption (N, P and K) in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles of different cohorts, 8–9 years after thinning. Thinning and canopy type often concurrently affected needle morphology (e.g. lighter and shorter needles in 30 % thinning, heavier and longer needles in pine canopy on the first year of study) and nutrient content (e.g. decrease in N, P and K in 30 %; N, P and K higher in pine canopy on the first year of study). However, effects of thinning appeared only in older cohorts for N and P but were found in old and new cohorts for needle dry weight, needle length and K, indicating that some thinning effects remained after 8–9 years. Canopy effects on morphology and nutrient content were more frequent in recent cohorts, in relation to an increase in beech cover over time. While no clear effects of thinning on the nutrient resorption were observed, higher values were observed in the pine than in the mixed canopy, which could be related to a higher Scots pine stem growth in those patches. The observed differences between treatments will likely increase as the stand develops, probably leading to beech trees being dominant, and as future thinnings are carried out.