Vessel anatomy of urban <i>Celtis occidentalis</i> trees varies to favour safety or efficiency depending on site conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Key message

Urban trees can acclimate to their growth environment through changes in vessel anatomy. Vessel lumen area and vessel frequency following a gradient from park trees to inner-city street trees.

Abstract

Urban trees stand in potentially stressful growth environments occurring along gradients of urban heat and impermeable surface cover and, to survive, can adjust their function and structure. The consequent tree-to-tree variations in hydraulic xylem traits can shed light on tree hydraulics and capacity to acclimate to diverse conditions, as well as identify limitations to tree growth and survival. Using microscopic analysis of increment cores, we compared early wood vessel traits of the ring-porous angiosperm Celtis occidentalis in three urban site types: cen

SUBMITTER: Rissanen K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11813969 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature