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Vertical variability of tension wood formation in the stem of Fagus sylvatica L. affected by landslide movement

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Complex detailed analysis—3D extension of tension wood, Anatomical intensity and tree-ring eccentricity—of one Fagus sylvatica L. individual provides unique insight into tree growth response to landsliding

Compression wood formation and tree ring eccentricity of coniferous trees have often been used to date past geomorphic events because of their well-defined tree ring boundaries and visible reaction wood. On the other hand, complex analysis of the ability of tree rings and anatomy of broadleaved trees to detect past geomorphic events is rather rare. Although analysis of broadleaved trees has some limitations, a combination of both approaches (tree ring anatomy and eccentricity) can provide a suitable dendrogeomorphological tool for dating and understanding past landslide events. From an example of a young Fagus sylvatica L. individual, vertical variability of growth responses in the whole stem was detected. The sampled individual was tilted as a direct response to a landslide event caused by intense rainfall in July 1997. It was found that the growth responses of the sampled individual varied with increasing height. By analysing 14 cross sections in the tree stem, it was detected that the sampled individual started to form tension wood (TW) immediately in 1997. This response was also confirmed by the decrease of the vessel lumen area (VLA). The largest decrease of the VLA was in axes A and D. As a result of TW formation, the sampled individual started to form eccentric tree rings. It was observed that with the increasing height of the tree, the number of tree rings with TW and VLA decreased. The formation of TW and eccentricity, but not VLA, also depends on the stem tilting intensity. According to our experimental results, a combination of both approaches can provide a suitable tool to detect the moment of tree growth responses and therefore date landslide movement events.

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Acknowledgements

The language was reviewed by American Journal Experts.

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This research was funded by Czech Science Foundation, grant number 19-01866S and University of Ostrava project no. SGS02/PřF/2019-2020.

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  1. Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, Ostrava, Czechia

    Olga Chalupová, Vladimír Chalupa & Karel Šilhán

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  1. Olga Chalupová
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Chalupová, O., Chalupa, V. & Šilhán, K. Vertical variability of tension wood formation in the stem of Fagus sylvatica L. affected by landslide movement. Trees 35, 1863–1874 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02156-1

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