Growth rates in diameter, basal area, and height of Pilgerodendron uviferum; relationship between growth index and germination

FIDEL A. ROIG; JOSE A. BONINSEGNA; RICHARD HOLMES

TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 1992 p. 199 - 203

0931-1890

Increment borer samples taken at breast height in Pilgerodendron uviferum (Cupressaceae) trees growing in two Chilean forest stands near latitude 42° south were used to study growth rates in diameter, basal area, and height. Radial average growth is 0.51 mm/year in Santa Luciă 0.44 mm/year in the Piuchué stand; the correlation between diameter and age is 0.79 in Santa Lucía and 0.64 in Piuchué. Similar results were obtained in the basal area/age relationship. Both groups of trees have a low rate of growth compared to rates obtained in other studies. Maximum values for radial growth (culmination age) are reached at 110 years of age in Santa Lucia and 50 years in Piuchue. Growth in height, averaging 5.8 cm/year, appears to be similar in all trees analyzed; occasional differences can be attributed to understory position of some trees. Comparison of radial growth and germination of Pilgerodendron plants shows a synchronous relationship, suggesting an influence of climate on the pattern of forest regeneration.