A study of the formation of epicormic branches on suppressed beech trees re
vealed developmental sequences that had not hitherto been studied in depth.
By combining architectural analysis and anatomy, it was possible to trace
the history of the plant and thus fully understand the ontogenesis of the i
ndividuals studied. The main sequences observed were: (1) the formation of
moribund trees that were gradually covered in epicormic branches from the b
ase of the stem to the crown following gradual forest closure; (2) the form
ation of this new crown of epicormic branches was combined with a very shar
p reduction in stem cambial activity (partial rings, if any) and modificati
ons to the ligneous sections; and (3) resumed girth increment following the
establishment of epicormic branches. After describing in detail the method
s and individual variation, we highlight the spatial and temporal patterns
of the phenomena observed. Lastly, we put forward functional hypotheses wit
h a view to setting these results against a background of forest tree ontog
enesis in general. (C) 2001 Annals of Botany Company.