Abstract

The cells in tree sapwood form a network of interconnected conduits which enables the transport of water and nutrients from the tree roots to the canopy. Sapwood depth must be assessed when tree water use is estimated from sap flow velocities. However, current approaches to assess sapwood depth are either not applicable universally, or require expensive instruments, the application of chemicals or laborious field efforts. Here, we present a new method, which estimates sapwood depth by thermal imaging of increment cores. Using a low-cost thermal camera for mobile devices, we show that the sapwood-heartwood boundary is detectable by a sharp increase in temperature. Estimated sapwood depths agree with dye estimates (R-2 = 0.84). We tested our approach on a broad range of temperate and tropical tree species: Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Swietenia macrophylla, Guazuma ulmifolia, Hymenaea courbaril, Sideroxylon capiri and Astronium graveolens. In nearly all species, the methods agreed within 0.6 cm. Thermal imaging of increment cores provides a straightforward, low-cost, easy-to-use, and species-independent tool to identify sapwood depth. It has further potential to reveal radial differences in sapwood conductivity, to improve water balance estimations on larger scales and to quickly develop allometric relationships.

Keywords

Thermal imaging; Sapwood depth; Increment core; Sapwood conductivity

Published in

Trees - Structure and Function
2023, Volume: 37, number: 2, pages: 349-359
Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

SLU Authors

• Marshall, John

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Water Engineering
Forest Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-022-02352-7

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/119933