Local conditions have greater influence than provenance on sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) frost hardiness at its northern range limit.

ABSTRACT: In temperate and boreal ecosystems, trees undergo dormancy to avoid cold temperatures during the unfavorable season. This phase includes changes in frost hardiness, which is minimal during the growing season and reaches its maximum in winter. Quantifying frost hardiness is important to assess the frost risk and shifts of species distribution under a changing climate. We investigate the effect of local conditions and intra-specific variation on frost hardiness in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). Seedlings belonging to seven provenances from the northern area of the species' range were planted at two sites in Quebec, Canada. LT50, i.e. the lethal temperature for 50% of the cells, was measured monthly with the relative electrolyte leakage method on branches and buds from September 2021 to

SUBMITTER: Mura C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11761971 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature