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Assessing internal epicormic dynamics in Quercus alba L. using CT scanning: the strong effects of shoot development and tree growth relative to progeny level genetic variation

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Abstract

Epicormic branches can be a serious silvicultural problem in many Quercus species because of the potential reduction in log value associated with their occurrence. The phenomenon is also problematic for tree improvement since the genetic component of epicormic branching has not been well quantified. The strong influence of ontogeny on epicormic development in Quercus is well established; however, the long-standing assumption that genetic variation also influences epicormics has not been rigorously tested. With trees from two, 25-year-old Quercus alba L. progeny tests in IN, USA, we used computed tomography scanning to characterize internal epicormic development. We sampled trees from upper and lower crown classes of families that had been classified as having low, medium and high numbers of epicormic sprouts. We also measured an array of variables related to growth and competition with the objective of assessing the relative impacts of genetics and vigor on epicormic development. Using generalized linear and linear mixed models, we found that ontogenetic and vigor variables were strongly associated with epicormic structure and development, and that the genetic effect was negligible. The total number of epicormics was most significantly influenced by the number of sequential branches that bore epicormics (p < 0.001) and the proportion of undeveloped epicormics was most significantly influenced by diameter increment (p < 0.001). We propose that a strong focus on individual tree vigor and form in tree improvement could minimize the impact of epicormic branching in Q. alba trees.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Indiana Department of Natural Resources—Division of Forestry for access to the progeny tests from which plant material was obtained. In particular, we would like to thank Phil O’Connor for allowing us to use the white oak progeny tests in this study, and Dwayne Sieg at Harrison-Crawford State Forest and John Karstens at the Jasper-Pulaski State Tree Nursery for logistical support. Dr. Mark Coggeshall provided valuable insights into the history of the plantations. Jake Dyer, Daniel Moscosco and Sebastian Saenz helped with the installation of treatments and data collection. The log scanning portion of the project would have been impossible without the assistance of Dr. James Naughton and Donna Tudor at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. Finally, we would like to thank Drs. Charles Michler and Rado Gazo, and 2 anonymous individuals for reviewers of earlier versions of this manuscript. This project was funded by the Fred M van Eck Foundation for Purdue University, the Northern Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service, and the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center at Purdue University.

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  1. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2061, USA

    Andrew Meier & Mike R. Saunders

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Correspondence to Mike R. Saunders.

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Communicated by R. Aloni.

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Meier, A., Saunders, M.R. Assessing internal epicormic dynamics in Quercus alba L. using CT scanning: the strong effects of shoot development and tree growth relative to progeny level genetic variation. Trees 27, 865–877 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-013-0840-x

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