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Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees

Publication ,  Journal Article
Domec, JC; Warren, JM; Meinzer, FC; Lachenbruch, B
Published in: IAWA Journal
January 1, 2009

The cohesion-tension theory of water transport states that hydrogen bonds hold water molecules together and that they are pulled through the xylem under tension. This tension could cause transport failure in at least two ways: collapse of the conduit walls (implosion), or rupture of the water column through air-seeding. The objective of this research was to elucidate the functional significance of variations in tracheid anatomical features, early wood to late wood ratios and wood densities with position in young and old Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine trees in terms of their consequences for the safety factors for tracheid implosion and air-seeding. For both species, wood density increased linearly with percent latewood for root, trunk and branch samples. However, the relationships between anatomy and hydraulic function in trunks differed from those in roots and branches. In roots and branches increased hydraulic efficiency was achieved at the cost of increased vulnerability to air-seeding. Mature wood of trunks had earlywood with wide tracheids that optimized water transport and had a high percentage of latewood that optimized structural support. Juvenile wood had higher resistance to air-seeding and cell wall implosion. The two safety factors followed similar axial trends from roots to terminal branches and were similar for both species studied and between juvenile and mature wood.

Duke Scholars

Published In

IAWA Journal

DOI

ISSN

0928-1541

Publication Date

January 1, 2009

Volume

30

Issue

2

Start / End Page

101 / 120

Related Subject Headings

  • Forestry
  • 3007 Forestry sciences
  • 0705 Forestry Sciences
 

Citation

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Domec, J. C., Warren, J. M., Meinzer, F. C., & Lachenbruch, B. (2009). Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees. IAWA Journal, 30(2), 101–120. https://doi.org/10.1163/22941932-90000207
Domec, J. C., J. M. Warren, F. C. Meinzer, and B. Lachenbruch. “Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees.” IAWA Journal 30, no. 2 (January 1, 2009): 101–20. https://doi.org/10.1163/22941932-90000207.
Domec JC, Warren JM, Meinzer FC, Lachenbruch B. Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees. IAWA Journal. 2009 Jan 1;30(2):101–20.
Domec, J. C., et al. “Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees.” IAWA Journal, vol. 30, no. 2, Jan. 2009, pp. 101–20. Scopus, doi:10.1163/22941932-90000207.
Domec JC, Warren JM, Meinzer FC, Lachenbruch B. Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees. IAWA Journal. 2009 Jan 1;30(2):101–120.
Journal cover image

Published In

IAWA Journal

DOI

ISSN

0928-1541

Publication Date

January 1, 2009

Volume

30

Issue

2

Start / End Page

101 / 120

Related Subject Headings

  • Forestry
  • 3007 Forestry sciences
  • 0705 Forestry Sciences