Variability of Bark Structure in Plantation-Grown Eucalyptus Globulus

Abstract

The bark structure of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. grown in plantations in Central Portugal is described, based on specimens extracted at six height levels from ten 15-year-old trees. No significant variation of qualitative features between trees was observed. The non-collapsed phloem is characterised by multiseriate tangential rows of phloem parenchyma alternating with rows of phloem fibres, interspersed with large sieve tubes and their respective companion cells, and uniseriate rays . With the onset of sieve tube collapse (collapsed phloem ), some parenchyma cells expand and sclerify, the course of rays becomes irregular, and ray dilatation is initiated. The periderm is composed of a phellem of lignified cells with horseshoe thickening (phelloids), followed by a layer of cells with suberised tangential walls, and a phelloderm with a variable number of layers of thin-walled cells. Age-related secondary changes give rise to a specific within-tree pattern of axial variation. Both the intensity of sclerification of phloem parenchyma cells and the degree of ray dilatation increase with tree age.