FALSE RING FORMATION IN BALDCYPRESS (TAXODIUM-DISTICHUM) SAPLINGS UNDER 2 FLOODING REGIMES

Baldcypress saplings were subjected to two flooding regimes of continu ous and periodic inundation for three years to allow comparison of ann ual ring characteristics. Basal stem discs were examined for the numbe r and nature of intra-annual response features, such as false rings. T he formation of latewood was also compared for trees from each floodin g regime. Radial growth was significantly greater in saplings from the continuously flooded treatments for years 2 and 3. No significant dif ference was found between treatments for the total number of response features present; however, periodically flooded saplings developed a s ignificantly higher number of major false rings. Trees from this regim e also consistently produced a greater number of thick-walled, latewoo d-type cells associated with false rings and annual rings.