SREL Reprint #1808

False ring formation in baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) saplings under two flooding regimes

P. Joy Young1, J. Patrick Megonigal2, Rebecca R. Sharitz1, and Frank P. Day3

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina 29802
2Dept. of Botany, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706
3Dept. of Biology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529

Abstract: Baldcypress saplings were subjected to two flooding regimes of continuous and periodic inundation for three years to allow comparison of annual ring characteristics. Basal stem discs were examined for the number and nature of intra-annual response features, such as false rings. The formation of latewood was also compared for trees from each flooding regime. Radial growth was significantly greater in saplings from the continuously flooded treatments for years 2 and 3. No significant difference was found between treatments for the total number of response features present; however, periodically flooded saplings developed a significantly higher number of major false rings. Trees from this regime also consistently produced a greater number of thick-walled, latewood-type cells associated with false rings and annual rings.

Keywords: annual rings, baldcypress, false rings, flooding, growth response

SREL Reprint #1808

Young, P.J., J.P. Megonigal, R.R. Sharitz, and F.P. Day. 1993. False ring formation in baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) saplings under two flooding regimes. Wetlands 13:293-298.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).