Comparative Analysis of Wood Anatomy of European Larch, Norway Spruce, and European Beech in Mixed and Monoculture Stands Under Contrasting Climatic Conditions

Abstract

We present a tree-ring and wood-anatomical study of less widespread European larch (L. decidua) growing in mixed a monoculture stands with the economically important Norway spruce (P. abies) and European beech (F. sylvatica) under identical meteorological conditions in the Czech highlands. Tree responses to drought were assessed by comparing two contrasting periods: Control period (2009-2010) and a Dry period (2017-2018). We analysed tree-ring widths (TRW), early- and latewood widths (EWW/LWW), lumen area (LA), cell wall thickness (CWT), cell density (CD), relative conducting area (RCTA), hydraulically weighted mean cell diameter (Dh), and the potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp).