Lignification markers of the tracheid walls of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris (L.)) in various forms of dead bark

Abstract

This study attempted to define the shaping of the quotient of fresh-needled twig mass and fresh conifer needle mass to the lignin content (MFT/LC) in the tracheid walls of the circumferential zone of trunks (MFN/LC) of pines with various forms of dead bark, which were called lignification markers. In the experiment, the researched trees had varying forms of dead bark, including ropy bark (G), scaly bark (L), and shell-type bark (M). The research material came from pine timber forests aged between 89 years to 91 years, located in Northern Poland. A tree tissue chemical analysis encompassed a zone of mature sapwood, i.e., the last ten annual growth rings of diameter increment located at the height of 1.30 m (diameter at breast height-DBH). The acquired results pointed to the fact that pines with dead bark in the ropy form possessed statistically higher values of the analyzed markers (MFT/LC and MFN/LC) than the trees with scaly and shell-type bark. The variances ascertained in the course of the experiments of both markers in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris (L.)) are possibly connected to the physiological, physical, and structural conditioning of water transportation, with mineral salts in the stem of the trees.