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<i>Key message</i> <p> Increased crown transparency delays the onset and shortens the duration of xylogenesis, resulting in reduced tracheid production in <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> and <i>Juniperus communis. </i>In understory <i>J. communis</i>, peak tracheid production occurred significantly later than in dominant <i>P. sylvestris</i>.</p> Abstract <p>Ongoing climate warming threatens the integrity of mountain forests by diminishing tree vitality, increasing susceptibility to pathogens, and accelerating mortality. A loss of tree vitality is reflected in increased crown transparency (CT), which is particularly evident in forests experiencing drought conditions. In this study, we examined the timing and dynamics of xylogenesis in <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> L. and co-occurring <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. across three CT classes at a drought-prone site (959 m a.s.l., Tyrol, Austria). Throughout the 2024 growing season, xylogenesis in both species (n=20 each) was monitored using microcore sampling at weekly (<i>P. sylvestris</i>) and three-week (<i>J. communis</i>) intervals. We tested whether increasing CT affects radial growth and xylem phenology. Specifically, we assessed whether increased CT delays the onset and shortens the duration of xylogenesis. Our results show that xylogenesis in <i>P. sylvestris</i> started 9–13 days earlier than in <i>J. communis</i>, and the inflection point in <i>J. communis</i> occurred 10–20 days later than in <i>P. sylvestris</i>. Increasing CT was associated with reduced tracheid production and basal area increment, and consistently delayed the onset and shortened the duration of xylogenesis. These findings demonstrate a tight coupling between CT and stem growth, highlighting that CT constrains wood formation.</p>

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Linking crown transparency to xylogenesis: histological signatures of tree vitality in Pinus sylvestris L. and Juniperus communis L.

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月20日

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  • Marion Fink,
  • Stefan Mayr,
  • Walter Oberhuber

摘要

Key message

Increased crown transparency delays the onset and shortens the duration of xylogenesis, resulting in reduced tracheid production in Pinus sylvestris and Juniperus communis. In understory J. communis, peak tracheid production occurred significantly later than in dominant P. sylvestris.

Abstract

Ongoing climate warming threatens the integrity of mountain forests by diminishing tree vitality, increasing susceptibility to pathogens, and accelerating mortality. A loss of tree vitality is reflected in increased crown transparency (CT), which is particularly evident in forests experiencing drought conditions. In this study, we examined the timing and dynamics of xylogenesis in Pinus sylvestris L. and co-occurring Juniperus communis L. across three CT classes at a drought-prone site (959 m a.s.l., Tyrol, Austria). Throughout the 2024 growing season, xylogenesis in both species (n=20 each) was monitored using microcore sampling at weekly (P. sylvestris) and three-week (J. communis) intervals. We tested whether increasing CT affects radial growth and xylem phenology. Specifically, we assessed whether increased CT delays the onset and shortens the duration of xylogenesis. Our results show that xylogenesis in P. sylvestris started 9–13 days earlier than in J. communis, and the inflection point in J. communis occurred 10–20 days later than in P. sylvestris. Increasing CT was associated with reduced tracheid production and basal area increment, and consistently delayed the onset and shortened the duration of xylogenesis. These findings demonstrate a tight coupling between CT and stem growth, highlighting that CT constrains wood formation.