Condition of the fine roots of sugar maple in different stages of decline

Abstract

An 85-year-old even-aged northern hardwood stand was studied to elucidate relations between the crown condition of declining sugar maples, Acersaccharum Marsh., and the condition of maple fine roots. Declining sugar maples had lower fine-root biomass and fewer rootlet tips than apparently healthy trees. However, rootlet mortality did not differ significantly between crown dieback classes. Damage to fine roots caused by Ctenophora sp. was significantly greater on trees in advanced stages of decline.