Vessel anatomy of urban Celtis occidentalis trees varies to favour safety or efficiency depending on site conditions

作者：Kaisa Rissanen, Valentina Vitali, Daniel Kneeshaw, Alain Paquette · 发表于：Trees · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1007/s00468-025-02603-3 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Tree-ring climate responses、Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics、Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Abstract Key message Urban trees can acclimate to their growth environment through changes in vessel anatomy. Vessel lumen area and vessel frequency following a gradient from park trees to inner-city street trees. Abstract Urban trees stand in potentially stressful growth environments occurring along gradients of urban heat and impermeable surface cover and, to survive, can adjust their function and structure. The consequent tree-to-tree variations in hydraulic xylem traits can shed light on tree hydraulics and capacity to acclimate to diverse conditions, as well as identify limitations to tree growth and survival. Using microscopic analysis of increment cores, we compared early wood vessel traits of the ring-porous angiosperm Celtis occidentalis in three urban site types: central streets, residential streets and parks, within the city of Montreal. We explored differences in vessel traits (mean vessel lumen area, vessel frequency, vessel grouping index and derived variables) between site types, vessel trait intercorrelations and correlations with monthly temperature, precipitation and heat-moisture index over 10 years. The vessel traits significantly differed between site types. Park trees had the largest and central street trees had the smallest vessel lumen area and theoretical hydraulic conductivity; traits supporting efficient water transport. Central street trees had the largest vessel frequency and smallest theoretical vulnerability to cavitation; traits connected to hy...