Variation in wood density between mature sessile oak and English oak trees growing in different vegetation zones

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Abstract

Wood density isafundamental functional trait influencing ecological adaptation, hydraulic safety, and timber utilisation intemperate hardwoods. This study investigated variation inwood density (12% moisture) across mature stands oftwo economically and ecologically vital European oak species, sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] and English oak (Quercus robur L.), growing intheir characteristic vegetation zones inthe Czech Republic. Weassessed wood density attwo heights (at 1.3 m and atthe crown base) across six trees per plot and examined its relationship with tree-ring width and height. Results demonstrated statistically significant interspecific differences, with Q. petraea consistently exhibiting higher wood density (721 kg·m−3) than Q. robur (662 kg·m−3) at1.3 m. Q. petraea showed astatistically nonsignificant higher density of710 kg·m−3 atthe crown base and anoverall average of717 kg·m−3, while Q.robur had densities of701 kg·m−3 and 669 kg·m−3, respectively. Radial density profiles revealed species-specific patterns, with Q. robur showing amore uniform density distribution than the pronounced pith-to-bark gradients observed inQ.petraea. Regression analysis indicated that tree-ring width explained only 12–13% of the variance in density, so other anatomical factors, such as latewood proportion and tree-ring structure (number and cell size), should be examined as anatomical drivers of wood-density variation.

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