A comparison of tree-ring features in Picea abies as correlated with climate

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of 16 anatomical variables measured on 20 spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] from sites in the managed forest district Seyde, Eastern Ore Mountains, south of Dresden, Germany. Ring width and latewood proportion did not show significant relationships with monthly climatic data, whereas maximum density, latewood cell-wall proportion and latewood density were highly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The climatic signals expressed in resin duct density, ray height, tracheid length and microfibril angles were less pronounced. Of 16 tree-ring parameters, densitometry - as an indirect measure of xylem anatomy - has again shown its great potential to record climatic conditions.