Early- and Latewood Formation in Pinus Densiflora Trees with Different Amounts of Crown

Abstract

The seasonal process of early- and latewood formation at different stern heights was examined in 20-year-old Pinus densiflora trees having different crown proportions. The initiation of tracheid production did not appear to vary among trees or within sterns; however, the transition to latewood formation and cessation of tracheid production began earlier at the lower stern. This tendency was more obvious in trees with smaller crowns. The duration and rate of tracheid production in early- and latewood also differed among trees with different crown proportions and within sterns. It is suggested that the quantitative distribution of latewood along the trunk are attributable not only to the date of transition from earlywood to latewood, but also to the duration and rate of latewood tracheid production.