THE STORAGE OF ACORNS IN WATER

Acorns of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) will not tolerate prolongedsubmergence, but those of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) survivevery well in regularly changed distilled water or tap-water.Survival is considerably worse in basic river water; the differencefrom tap-water is likely to be due either to the greater activityof organisms promoting decay, or to the prevalence of loweroxygen-tensions in river water. Storage in water under suitablycontrolled conditions might be a useful practical procedurewith pedunculate acorns.     

A comparison of the autecology of Quercus robur L. and Q. pyrenaica Wild.: present habitat in Galicia, NW Spain

The biotopes occupied by pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)and rebollo oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) in Galicia were characterizedusing different parameters, enabling a comparative analysisof its habitats. Thirty-nine plots of pedunculate oak and 40of rebollo oak were inventoried and 25 ecological parameters(physiographic, climatic and edaphic) were measured to describethe biotopes, along with 14 stand parameters to characterizethe structure and the silviculture of these forests; some ofthem were used in previous works about the autecology of bothspecies. Quercus robur was found to occupy a wider range ofecological habitats and their distribution is oceanic; Q. pyrenaicapresents a more Mediterranean phytoclimatic position. The resultsindicated that the distribution of oak forests in Galicia ismore closely related to physiographic and climatic featuresthan to edaphic, because the nature of the substrates that theyoccupy is similar. Analysis of fragility/aggressiveness betweenboth species and chestnut shows that the aggressiveness of bothoaks, mainly pedunculate, was much higher, except at high altitudes,and in areas with a high mean temperature, where rebollo ismore aggressiveness. Comparison of the two Quercus shows formost of the parameters that Q. robur is the more aggressivespecies.     

PRELIMINARY LIGHT-INTENSITY STUDY UNDER SESSILE AND PEDUNCULATE OAK

While study by continental and American workers has continuedover a considerable period, little has been published in connexionwith forestry. A method is described using photoelectric cellphotometers and the results given of measurements made undercomparable stands of sessile and pedunculate oak (Quercus petraeaLiebe and Q. robur L.). These results confirm that sessile oakcasts more shade than pedunculate oak.     

Biotic and abiotic factors affecting the dying back of pedunculate oak Quercus robur L.

Episodes of dying back of pedunculate oak Quercus roburhaveoccurred in Europe. In this article, produced to mark the 70thvolume of Forestry, the 1920s episode, as described by contemporaryresearch workers, is evaluated. The second part of the paperis concerned with an accountof the 1989–1994 episode inGreat Britain and comparisons are made with occurrences elsewherein Europe. In Britain, one feature not previously recorded,was attack on declining trees by the buprestid beetle, Agriluspannonicus.     

Considerations regarding black walnut (Juglans nigra) culture in the north-west of Romania

Black walnut (juglans nigra L.) is one of the most valuableNorth American forest species, and has been cultivated in Europesince 1629. It is now planted in many European countries, ofwhich Hungary, France and Germany are the most representative. In Romania it has been cultivated since the end of the nineteenthcentury, especially in the western and north-western parts ofthe country, and now covers over 2100 ha. This paper focuseson the silviculture applied to the black walnut plantationsin the SÃcueni Forest District (north-west of Romania),a forest unit where mixtures with either North American (e.g.northern red oak, pin oak, bitternut hickory, black cherry,etc.) or European (eg. pedunculate oak, Turkey oak, ash, Norwaymaple, small-leaved lime) forest species, covering hundredsof hectares, are frequently found. The biometrical performances of such plantations show the highpotential of the species when used in favourable ecologicalconditions (e.g. lowlands, with mild climates, rich and deepsoils, permeable and constantly supplied with water, etc.).     

Visitor preferences of thinning practice in young even-aged stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.): comparing the opinion of forestry professionals in six European countries

This study compared visitor preferences of forestry professionals across six European countries (Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, Austria, Romania and Portugal) using a questionnaire survey. The 598 interviewees were asked to rank photographs depicting recently thinned experimental plots in a 13-year old stand of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) according to the criterion: “Which forest environment do you prefer as a visitor?” The plots represented five different residual stem densities: 7000 (no thinning, very high stem density), 5300 (heavy thinning, high stem density), 1000 (very heavy thinning, medium stem density), 300 (extremely heavy thinning, low stem density/open stand) and 100 (solitary trees, very low stem density/very open stand) stems ha^?1. The results indicated geographical variation in the preferences for different thinning practices in young stands of oak. Portuguese, Austrian and Romanian respondents generally favoured thinned, but dense stands, whereas Danish and British respondents preferred very heavily thinned stands. Swedish respondents preferred open stands resulting from extremely heavy thinning. Photographs taken along rows were favoured to photographs across rows, indicating a preference for scenes offering perspective and accessibility. The results indicate a variation of visitor preferences among forestry professionals for different silvicultural regimes. We interpret this in the context of national traditions and forestry paradigms that influence the shaping of preferences.     

Why and where do adult trees die in a young secondary temperate forest? The role of neighbourhood

? The density and identity of tree neighbourhood is a key factor to explain tree mortality in forests, especially during the stem exclusion phase.

? To understand this process, we built a logistic model for mortality in a spatially explicit context, including tree and neighbourhood predictors. Additionally, we used this model to build mortality risk frequency distributions. Finally, we tested this model against a random mortality model to predict the spatial pattern of the forest.

? Annual mortality rate was high for pedunculate oak (Quercus robur, 6.99%), moderate for birch (Betula celtiberica, 2.19%) and Pyrenean oak (Q. pyrenaica, 1.58%) and low for beech (Fagus sylvatica, 0.26%). Mortality risk models for pedunculate oak and birch included stem diameter, tree height, canopy position and neighbourhood. Mortality was affected by the specific nature of the neighbourhood showing a clear competitive hierarchy: beech > pedunculate oak > birch. Models based on random mortality and logistic regression model were able to predict the spatial pattern of survivors although logistic regression predictions were more accurate.

? Our study highlights how simple models such as the random mortality one may obscure much more complex spatial interactions.

     

Effects of water and nutrient availability on physiological responses of woody species to elevated CO2

The growth responses to elevated CO₂ found in experiments arehighly variable and depend on other experimental parameterssuch as irrigation, fertilization, light regime, etc. As yet,the strength or even the sign of most interactions is all butimpossible to predict from first principles. Experiments inambient and CO₂-enriched ambient air (+250 p.p.m.) have beenconducted in specially adapted greenhouses (Solardomes) at LancasterUniversity for the past four seasons on Sitka spruce (Piceasitchensis (Bong.) Carr.), wild cherry (Prunus avium L.), beech(Fagus sylvatica L.) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.).These experiments are reviewed together with other publishedstudies on interactive effects of elevated CO₂ and water andnutrient supply on physiological processes, in particular gasexchange, in tree species. It is often assumed that drought tolerance will increase inelevated CO₂ because of a suppression of stomatal conductanceand an increase in instantaneous water use efficiency. Thereis, however, some evidence that such effects could be more thanoffset in beech by CO₂-induced increases in leaf area. It istentatively suggested that in beech, drought tolerance couldalready have been reduced by the increase in atmospheric CO₂over the last century.     

Effects of root damage associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi on water relations,biomass accumulation,mineral nutrition and vulnerability to water deficit of five oak and chestnut species

The effects of root damage associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi on water relations, biomass accumulation, mineral nutrition and vulnerability to water deficit were investigated in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), red oak (Quercus rubra) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) saplings over two years. Comparison was made with sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), a susceptible species to infection by P. cinnamomi, and with a resistant hybrid chestnut (Castanea crenata × C. sativa). Trees were inoculated in 1998 and were subjected to water shortage in 1999. All inoculated sweet chestnuts died before the application of water shortage. Hybrid chestnut, pedunculate oak and red oak displayed low root susceptibility to P. cinnamomi. In these species, water relations, aerial growth and mineral nutrition were slightly affected by inoculation. By contrast, holm oak was the most susceptible oak species to P. cinnamomi as inoculated well‐watered trees displayed the highest root loss (67%) and a 10% mortality. Root loss was associated with a decrease in predawn leaf water potential, a 61% reduction in stomatal conductance, a 55% reduction in aerial biomass, a decrease in leaf carbon isotope discrimination and reduced leaf N and P contents in comparison with controls. In hybrid chestnut and pedunculate oak, water shortage resulted in a similar decrease of predawn leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and aerial biomass in inoculated and non‐inoculated trees. In red and holm oaks, soil volumetric water content of inoculated trees subjected to water shortage remained high. The effects observed in those trees were similar to those of inoculated well‐watered trees and were probably the result of root infection only.     

Genetic structure of the green oak leaf roller (Tortrix viridana L.) and one of its hosts, Quercus robur L.

An herbivorous insect, the green oak leaf roller (Tortrix viridana) and one of its host species, pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), were investigated for their genetic variation within and among populations on the basis of mitochondrial, chloroplast, and anonymous markers. Oaks and green oak leaf rollers from 10 oak stands in North Rhine-Westphalia (North-Western Germany) were examined. The genetic variation of pedunculate oaks is much lower within than among populations when assessed using chloroplast gene markers and higher among populations when assessed using anonymous markers. When using mitochondrial and AFLP markers, the genetic variation of the green oak leaf roller populations was higher within than among the populations, which suggests a high gene flow between the populations. Mantel tests on the gene diversities of oaks and the green oak leaf roller yielded a significant negative correlation for both marker types. To sum up, the reasons for the differences in the spatial patterns of the genetic variation of the host and herbivorous insect may be found in their different generation times, mechanisms and capacities for dispersal.The results for the green oak leaf roller revealed a higher migration rate than assumed before which has consequences for the prediction of the dynamics of future outbreak events.     

Low pre-death growth rates of oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> L.)—Is oak death a long-term process induced by dry years?

• Background and purpose   

A complex interplay between biotic and abiotic factors is believed to be responsible for several oak declines in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). This study aims to clarify the temporal process of oak declines, as well as identifying individual tree and environmental variables that affects growth rate and that may increase the risk of mortality. The study was performed in southern Sweden at three sites.     

Unexpected disproportion observed in species composition between oak mixed stands and their progeny populations

We used morphological analysis to assess species composition of natural regenerations and progeny plantations established from two mixed oak stands in Jamy and Legnica, Poland. Despite equal proportions of pedunculate (Quercus robur) and sessile oak (Quercus petrea) in seed stands, the species composition differed strikingly. In all progeny populations, pedunculate oak dominated, reaching 89.5% and 96.6% in Legnica and Jamy, respectively. However, sessile oak predominated in natural regenerations. Morphological studies indicated a varied number of phenotypically intermediate or mosaic individuals. Among artificial populations, the highest number of putative hybrids was observed in Legnica (average 2.5%) and the lowest in Jamy (average 0.2%). Hybrids in natural regeneration were 1% in Legnica and 8% in Jamy. The disproportionate species composition could result from either unintentional indirect acorn selection during collection or selection in nursery practice. We discuss the role of ecophysiological differences between species in biased species representation in progeny populations.     

Application of biotechnological tools to Quercus improvement

The genus Quercus, which belongs to the family Fagaceae, is native to the northern hemisphere and includes deciduous and evergreen species. The trees of the different species are very important from both economic and ecological perspectives. Application of new technological approaches (which span the fields of plant developmental biology, genetic transformation, conservation of elite germplasm and discovery of genes associated with complex multigenic traits) to these long-rotation hardwoods may be of interest for accelerating tree improvement programs. This review provides a summary of the advances made in the application of biotechnological tools to specific oak species. Significant progress has been made in the area of clonal propagation via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis (SE). Standardized procedures have been developed for micropropagating the most important European (Q. robur, Q. petarea, Q. suber) and American (Q. alba, Q. bicolor, Q. rubra) oaks by axillary shoot growth. Although regenerated plantlets are grown in experimental trials, large-scale propagation of oak species has not been carried out. The induction of SE in oaks from juvenile explants is generally not problematic, although the use of explants other than zygotic embryos is much less efficient. During the last decade, enormous advances have been made in inducing SE from selected adult trees, mainly specimens of pedunculate oak (Q. robur) and cork oak (Q. suber). Advances in the understanding of the maturation and germination steps are required for better use of embryogenic process in clonal forestry. Quercus species are late-maturing and late-flowering, exhibit irregular seed set, and produce seeds that are recalcitrant to storage by conventional procedures. Vitrification-based cryopreservation techniques were used successfully in somatic embryos of pedunculate oak and cork oak, and an applied genbank of cork oak selected genotypes is now under development. The feasibility of genetic transformation of pedunculate oak and cork oak somatic embryos by means of co-culture techniques with several strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens has also been demonstrated. To date, most research on the genomics of Quercus species has concerned population genetics. Approaches using functional genomics to examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control organogenesis and or somatic embryogenesis are still scarce, and efforts on the isolation and characterization of genes related to other specific traits should be intensified in the near future, as this would help improve the practical application of clonal forestry in recalcitrant species such as oaks.     

Groundwater and Light Conditions as Factors in the Survival of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus Robur L.) Seedlings

A noticeable decline and physiological weakening of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) has been recorded in the past decade in lowland parts of Slovenia. The triggers were dry climate, unfavourable precipitation patterns and human influence that brought about changes in watercourses and water tables. Regeneration and future management of this tree species is therefore questionable. To define a critical groundwater table which would permit successful regeneration, planted and naturally grown seedlings were compared in two forests differing in the degree of decline and physiological weakness of adult pedunculate oak trees. Comparison of stomatal conductance and pre-dawn water potential (PWP) showed differences of seedlings between and within forest complexes. Stomatal conductance dropped below 100 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ at PWP values below −1.0 MPa, while closure of stomata was caused by a PWP between −1.6 and −1.9 MPa. Increased water stress equalized photosynthetic yield in both natural and planted oaks below −1.4 MPa.     

Effects of climate and management history on the distribution and growth of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in a southern British woodland in comparison to native competitors

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) is an invasive, non-nativespecies in Great Britain and its management in conservationareas is controversial. Climate change adds further uncertaintyto decision making. We investigated the role of management historyin determining present-day abundance and the effects of climaticvariability on growth, photosynthesis and phenology at WythamWoods, a UK Environmental Change Network (ECN) monitoring site.Relatively few sycamore trees were found in undisturbed ancient,semi-natural woodland and recent plantations, despite beingcommon in other areas of the site. Sycamore grew more slowlythan ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), its principal competitor,but at a similar rate to pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)in the period 1993–2005. There were fewer sycamore thanash seedlings, regardless of which species dominated the canopy.Growth of sycamore was slower in dry periods than wet ones andlower photosynthetic rates were measured in canopy leaves underdry compared with wet soil conditions. This study thereforesuggests that sycamore does not present a serious threat toundisturbed ancient woodland on the site and that it may eventuallydecline in areas of the site where it competes with ash, inthe absence of disturbance. It may also decline under climatechange if summer droughts become more frequent.     

The effect of afforestation on water recharge and nitrogen leaching in The Netherlands

Water balances and nitrogen budgets were studied in two chronosequences of oak and spruce on former arable land. Quantity and quality of rainfall and throughfall, soil water contents and concentrations in the soil solution were measured during a period of 1–2 years. Hydrological fluxes were calculated using the soil hydrological model SWAP. Nitrogen leaching fluxes were based on monthly measured concentrations and simulated hydrological fluxes. Results showed that water recharge declined from approximately 485 mm/yr in arable land to 172 mm in the 18-year old oak stand and approximately 100 mm in the 13 and 14-year old spruce stands. For both chronosequences the decline in water recharge upon afforestation can be described by a power function; the exponent being −0.22 for oak and somewhat higher, −0.31, for spruce. Nitrogen leaching fluxes were negligible in the spruce stands and declined with age in the oak stands, from 16 kg/ha/yr at the youngest stand to 8 kg/ha/yr at the 18-year old stand. The nitrogen budget for the four oak stands increased with age. An explanation for this unexpected result may be the declining release of nitrogen by mineralization of organic matter present in the (former) agricultural soil. The data provide valuable information for the validation of simulation models and decision support systems used for policy decisions.     

5种北美栎树在我国长三角地区的引种生长表现

从美国东南部引进属于红栎组的纳塔栎、舒玛栎、水栎、柳叶栎和属于白栎组的弗栎,在我国长江三角洲平原地区多个地点和不同土壤类型条件下进行造林研究.采用1～2年生裸根苗经长途运输后进行栽种,纳塔栎、舒玛栎和水栎成活率达94％以上,柳叶栎为76％～81％,弗栎仅42％～50％.不同树种之间,幼年阶段的根系发育、枝梢生长习性、秋冬叶色变化和虫害状况存在明显差异.在3～6个地点水稻土上建立的前4种栎树人工林,8～10a后在保留密度900～1 500株·hm-2条件下,其年均径生长量和年均高生长量达到0.96～1.76 cm和0.8～1.33 m.在山坡红黄壤地上栽种的纳塔栎、舒玛栎和柳叶栎,其年均径生长量和年均高生长量分别为0.64～1.01cm和0.57～0.78 m.采用2～4年生带土弗栎苗在6个地点滨海盐土上造林的成活率达87％以上,在保留密度1 110～3 900株·hm-2条件下,其7～9 a林木年均径生长量和年均高生长量分别为0.78～1.13 cm和0.59～0.75 m.当树龄达6～9 a时,5种栎树均开始结实.研究表明,5种北美栎树在长江三角洲地区有较强的适应性,水栎、纳塔栎、舒玛栎、柳叶栎可以应用于平原地区生态景观林和城镇园林绿化建设,而弗栎在沿海防护林建设中具有推广前景.     

Spatio-temporal litterfall dynamics in a 60-year-old mixed deciduous forest

Introduction  

To increase our understanding of litterfall dynamics in mixed-species forests, seasonal and annual variations in litterfall mass and nutrient concentrations were assessed for a 60-year-old spontaneously developed forest dominated by silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) in Belgium.     

Genetic variation of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in the urban woodlands of Helsinki

We present a genetic profile of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in three woodlands of the Helsinki region. We genotyped all mature trees and samples of seedlings to evaluate patterns of genetic variation and gene flow, and evaluate the long-term stability and natural regeneration of these stands. Although five microsatellite loci showed no significant differences in heterozygosity between generations in most locations, significant (p?per se does not interfere with gene flow over the distances represented here. Based on our findings, a minimal-maintenance program reliant upon natural regeneration of oak in the public parks of Helsinki seems plausible.     

Effects of pruning and stand density on the productionof new epicormic shoots in young stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

Context

Avoidance or control of epicormic shoots is among the major silvicultural challenges for the production of high-quality oak timber. In northern Europe, contemporary oak silviculture aims to produce valuable timber on a relatively short rotation, applying early, heavy thinning combined with artificial pruning.

Aims

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of pruning and stand density on the production of new epicormic shoots on young trees of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.).

Methods

The study was based on two field experiments in even-aged stands of pedunculate oak subjected to different thinning practices and early selection of potential future crop trees. From ages 13 to 15 years, stem density was reduced to 300 trees ha^?1, 1,000 ha^?1 or stands remained unthinned. Pruning was conducted on selected trees at ages 22–24 years. At that age, the stem density in unthinned control plots ranged from 2,500 to 3,100 ha^?1. All treatments were replicated twice within each experiment.

Results

Pruning led to an overall increase in the total production of new epicormic shoots. More epicormic shoots were produced in the lower part of the stem (0–3 m in height) than in the upper part (3–6 m). The number of new epicormic shoots increased with increasing stand density.

Conclusion

Early, heavy thinning combined with high pruning at regular intervals may help shorten the rotation length for pedunculate oak without further reduction in wood quality than that which is caused by wider annual growth rings.