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Growth of riparian cottonwoods: a developmental pattern and the influence of geomorphic context

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Abstract

Cottonwoods are poplars (Populus sp.) adapted to riparian (streamside) zones and an understanding of their growth within these zones will assist with river management for cottonwood conservation and in the recognition of superior parental genotypes for hybrid poplar breeding programs. In this study we analyzed cottonwood growth in native riparian zones and compared growth along three study reaches of the Oldman River in Alberta, Canada that differed in geomorphic context, particularly the extent that the river channel was constrained by steep banks and bedrock. We used dendrochronology to analyze trunk growth patterns, and measured annual radial increments (RI) and basal area increments (BAI) of 278 narrowleaf cottonwoods (P. angustifolia), black cottonwoods (P. trichocarpa), their intrasectional hybrids, and natural intersectional hybrids with prairie cottonwoods (P. deltoides). The trees displayed common growth patterns with four phases: (I) a 3–7-year establishment phase with RI of about 1–2 mm/year, (II) a growth acceleration phase of about 15 years with RI increasing to the (III) RI growth peak of about 3 mm/year, and then (IV) the mature growth phase with relatively constant BAI and progressively declining RI. This general pattern was consistent across study reaches but the durations and growth rates of the phases differed along with forest stand structure. Along the unconstrained alluvial reach with a broad floodplain and dynamic channel, extensive and dense forest groves occurred. This increased tree competition, as evidenced by reduced RI and BAI in the mature phase. In contrast, along a constrained reach trees were restricted to sparse, narrow bands and their increased growth rates in the mature phase probably reflected reduced competition. Cottonwoods along the intermediate reach demonstrated an intermediate combination of forest and growth characteristics. Genotypic effects were slight although P. angustifolia had reduced RI during the establishment phase. These results demonstrate that within native riparian zones cottonwoods display an inherent growth pattern that reflects the trees' life history, and that growth rates and transitions are influenced by the geomorphic context that influences forest structure.

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Acknowledgements

This research comprised part of the M.Sc. thesis of the senior author. The inputs of John Mahoney of Alberta Environment, Jim Byrne of the University of Lethbridge, and Derald Smith of the University of Calgary are gratefully acknowledged. We thank Kevan Berg, Sarah Bigelow, and Bobbi George for field assistance and acknowledge the funding provided by the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research, Alberta Environment, and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant to S. Rood.

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada

    Chad R. Willms, David W. Pearce & Stewart B. Rood

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  1. Chad R. Willms
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  2. David W. Pearce
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  3. Stewart B. Rood
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Correspondence to Stewart B. Rood.

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R. Willms, C., W. Pearce, D. & B. Rood, S. Growth of riparian cottonwoods: a developmental pattern and the influence of geomorphic context. Trees 20, 210–218 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-005-0027-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-005-0027-1

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