Thuja occidentalis is a tree species that was once thought to be relatively
short-lived (80 years). Up until 10 years ago maximum ages were considered
to be near 400 years, but such trees were thought to be rare. Research alo
ng the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment has altered this view. Exceptionall
y slow-growing trees of this species have been found with ring counts to 16
53 years and estimated ages to 1890 years. Senescence is slow or absent. In
jury and death is due to rockfall and sporadic severe drought that kills sm
all sectors of the trees by exposing and killing the roots. Experiments in
which colored dyes are infused into roots show that each tree is composed o
f hydraulically independent units that allow mortality in one part of the '
individual' with little negative effect on the remaining parts of the tree.
The trees are small, so environmental loadings of ice, snow, and wind are
low. Slow growth of the trees results in a much greater mechanical strength
in the wood. Together these properties increase the ability of the cedars
to persist on cliffs for long periods of time. The paradox of great longevi
ty in this 'short-lived' tree species is explained by slow growth that mini
mizes maintenance and repair costs while maximizing durability and strength
, combined with an internal architecture that creates functionally independ
ent units within each tree. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reser
ved.