Hydraulic path length as a determinant of xylem conduit size at the stem base, regardless of cambial age.

ABSTRACT: Xylem properties, such as wood density and conduit diameter, are linked to crown shape and size. Suppressed trees with smaller crowns tend to have denser wood and narrower conduits at the stem base, whereas dominant trees exhibit wider conduits and lower wood density. Given the tip-to-base widening of xylem conduits-an adaptation to counteract increasing hydraulic resistance with growth-we hypothesize that hydraulic path length (i.e., the distance from leaves to the stem base) is the primary driver of conduit size, independent of cambial age. To test this, we leveraged a phenomenon in managed forests: partial harvesting reduces stand density, triggering epicormic shoot formation along the stems of uncut (standing) trees. This downward shift in leaf distribution shortens the average hydraul

SUBMITTER: Bicego G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12636518 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature