Production of seeds and cones and consequences for wood radial increment in norway spruce (Picea abies (l.) karst.)

Abstract

The presence of a trade-off between growth and reproduction was tested in four sites in a subalpine Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest by measuring annual stem diameter increments at breast height and seedand cone productions during the periods 1962-1985 and 1983-1990, respectively. Trees growing in forest stands near the timber line (about 1900 m above sea level) had the greatest reduction in annual stem diameter increment during mast years; while trees growing at about 1300-1500 m above sea level did not show any reduction. Trees growing at about 1700 m showed only a limited reduction. At the same elevation, trees growing within closed forest stands suffered a greater reduction in stem growth when compared with trees growing at the edge of a cutting. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.