The influence of wind on ring width and cell length in conifer stems

Abstract

In the three species studied, inequalities were noted in amount of radial growth around the stem. Rings tended to be wider on the east than on the west side. Because the prevailing wind is from the west, the eccentricity is interpreted as being due to wind action. In keeping with the general inverse relationship between ring width and cell length, the cells were longest on the west side where the rings were narrowest. The difference in cell length was not relatable to diversity in frequency of multiplicative divisions in the cambium.