Crown structure and vertical foliage distribution in 4-year-old plantation-grown 'Eucalyptus pilularis' and 'Eucalyptus cloeziana'

Author(s)
Alcorn, Philip J
Forrester, David I
Smith, R Geoff B
Thomas, Dane S
James, Ryde N
Nicotra, Adrienne B
Bauhus, Jurgen
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
Tree growth and form are both influenced by crown architecture and how it effects leaf distribution and light interception. This study examined the vertical distribution of foliage in 4-year-old plantation-grown 'Eucalyptus pilularis' Sm. and 'E. cloeziana' F. Muell. trees. Leaf area (LA) distribution was determined at two different sites using allometric approaches to determine LA in crown sections and for whole trees. Leaf area was distributed more towards the upper crowns when canopies had been closed for longer. Leaf area was also skewed more towards the upper crowns for 'Eucalyptus pilularis' than 'E. cloeziana'. These species differences were consistent with differences in vertical light availability gradients as determined by point quantum sensors. Leaf area of individual branches was highly correlated with branch cross-sectional area (CSA) and whole-tree LA was closely related to stem CSA. Branch-level allometric relationships were influenced by site and crown position. However, the general allometric equations between stem size and whole-tree leaf area could be applied across sites. Results from this study suggest that pruning of live branches in these species should follow species-specific guides for the timing and height of pruning to optimise the effects on stem growth and form.
Citation
Trees, 27(3), p. 555-566
ISSN
1432-2285
0931-1890
Link
Publisher
Springer
Title
Crown structure and vertical foliage distribution in 4-year-old plantation-grown 'Eucalyptus pilularis' and 'Eucalyptus cloeziana'
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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