间伐强度对黄桥林区辽东栎生殖构件的影响

为了阐明抚育间伐强度对辽东栎生殖构件的影响,以黄土高原南部黄龙和桥山林区辽东栎中龄林为研究对象,对不同间伐强度(对照、10%、20%、30%)下近自然经营抚育间伐5年后的辽东栎平均单株个体大小、生殖构件产量、比率及空间分布格局特征等进行研究.结果表明: 间伐强度对辽东栎林分平均树高、胸径影响不显著,而与冠幅面积、冠幅体积呈显著正相关;辽东栎标准株的生殖枝、幼果、成熟果实产量随间伐强度的增大而增大,而营养枝、雄花序、雄花、雌花的产量变化不大.当间伐强度达到20%时,生殖枝、幼果、成熟果实产量显著提高,30%间伐下达到最大.生殖枝比例和座果率随间伐强度增大而增大,在20%、30%间伐强度时与对照的差异达到显著水平.约3/4的生殖枝、雌花、雄花集中分布于树冠上层,1/4分布于下层;树冠阳面生殖构件数量占65%,树冠阴面占35%.树冠下层、阴面生殖枝、雌花、雄花序的空间分布比例随着间伐强度的增大而增大;树冠上层、阳面生殖枝、雌花、雄花序分布比例随间伐强度的增大呈递减趋势.因此,选择30%间伐强度(保留郁闭度0.6)最佳,可以大幅提高辽东栎的座果率和成熟率,有效提高结实量和品质,为辽东栎林的采种及天然更新提供保证.     

常绿阔叶树种栲树开花物候动态及花的空间配置

 基于定株观测和随机枝取样法,对浙江天童常绿阔叶林内栲树（Castanopsis fargesii）的开花物候动态及其雌花、雄花的空间配置进行了研究。结果表明：在栲树的生殖枝上,并非所有的芽都分化、萌发生成花序,栲树花芽的分化和发育集中在一级生殖枝上。生殖枝上花芽的分化与该枝的空间位置密切相关。栲树花期明显晚于春季的展叶期,与叶片生长时间重叠。盛花期集中于5月下旬,约持续8 d左右,属于同步发生的花期。栲树雄花序的数量明显高于雌花序,雄花序约占花序总数的77.88%,雌花序仅占22.12%。大量雄花和花粉的存在是保证雌花接受花粉和完成受精的基础。花序在植冠层中的空间配置明显不同：在同一植冠内,向阳面和背阴面生殖枝上芽萌发成花序的比率存在明显差异(p<0.01),阳面生殖枝上顶芽萌发成花序的比率高于阴面生殖枝的比率,并且,阳面的每个生殖枝上平均花序数和雄花数量均高于阴面生殖枝,花序的分化和发育与枝系的生长发育状况有密切关系。     

不同生境中辽东栎的构型差异

辽东栎具有很强的萌生能力,在东灵山区,存在于多种林分中,对生活在落叶阔叶混交林和次生落叶阔叶灌丛中辽东栎植株的构型进行了比较统计分析,结果表明不同生境中的辽东栎构型具有较大差异。具体表现在：（１）混交林中的辽东栎个体多生活在林隙中,同灌丛中的个体相比,树冠窄小,枝倾角较大,第一枝级枝条（上层）较长,但分枝率较小,叶面积指数较低;（２）枝,叶的方位角,叶倾角（上层）在不同生境中发生显著变化。因此,叶     

人工油松种群生长与生殖分配关系的研究

植物种群营养生长和生殖生长的关系是植物生殖生态学研究的重要内容之一,自本世纪70年代,国外已有大量报道,但国内的研究报道很少。本文在种群水平上研究了人工油松种群一年生雌性枝条和雄性枝条在枝长、直径、叶数、叶生物量、枝生物量及新生枝条在大小孢子球生物量、雌雄枝条长度和生物量等方面的差异,结果表明,一年生枝条除在西方向上雌雄枝条直径差异显著和在东、西方向上雌雄枝条生物量差异显著外,其它处理条件下雌雄枝条在长度、直径、叶数、叶生物量和枝生物量等方面差异均不显著;而对新生枝条的取样分析表明同方向上雌雄枝条在大小孢子球生物量、雌雄枝条长度、雌雄枝条生物量等方面差异均显著或极显著。无论是一年生枝条,还是新生枝条,在东、西、南、北四个方向上其各项指标差异显著或极显著。     

辽东栎植冠的构型分析

对辽东栎 ( Quercus liaotungensis)个体发育中不同阶段的植冠构型进行统计分析 ,结果发现 :构型转变主要表现在分枝格局上 ,除枝、叶方位角和叶倾角外 ,分枝率、枝长和枝倾角都发生过显著改变。不同阶段构型分析的比较表明 :1 )幼苗阶段 ,高生长显著 ,枝条伸长较快 ,但分枝率低 ;2 )幼树阶段 ,分枝率显著小于成株阶段 ,但上层枝条的平均枝倾角大于其它两阶段 ,上层枝条的长度也大于成株阶段 ;3)成株阶段 ,冠幅迅速扩展 ,分枝率较前两时期显著增加 ,同时顶端优势减弱 ,引起休眠芽萌动和萌生苗的发生。而枝的转向是植物个体发育过程中构型调整的直接证明。这些都说明了辽东栎在生活史的不同阶段 ,因为所处的微生境和所面临的威胁都各不相同 ,在构型表达上也有不同对策。     

人工油松种群生长与生殖分配关系的研究

植物种群营养生长和生殖生长的关系是植物生殖生态学研究的重要内容之一,自本世纪７０年代,国外已有大量报道,但国内的研究报道很少。本在种群水平上研究了人工油松种群一年生雌性枝条和雄性枝条在枝长、直径、叶数、叶生物量、枝生物量及新生枝条在大小孢子球生物量、雌雄枝条长度和生物量等方面的差异,结果表明,一年生枝条除在西方向上雌雄枝条直径差异显和在东、西方向上雌雄枝条生物量差异显外,其它处理条件下雌雄枝     

舞钢玉兰芽种类与成枝成花规律的研究

报道了舞钢玉兰芽的种类、分枝习性与成枝生长规律,拟花蕾、着生位置、解剖结构及其分化发育成花规律。从中发现：（1）当年生枝上有休眠芽、叶芽（侧叶芽和顶叶芽）、拟花蕾3种;（2）拟花蕾有缩台枝、芽鳞状托叶、雏枝、雏芽及雏蕾组成,因其外形似“花蕾“,称为“拟花蕾“;（3）缩台枝是枝与花着生的中间过滤枝变阶段,是由母枝顶端节间缩短、增粗的枝段和当年由雏枝生长的1次极短新枝所组成;（4）4-5月及7-8月前后两批形成的拟花蕾,均经过未分化发育期、花被分化发育期、雄蕊群分化发育期及离心皮雌蕊群分化发育期,各期均依次递后交错进行,但不逆转,也不能截然分开,直到翌春花分化发育全部结束,开花后才能结实;（5）芽鳞状托叶是托叶的变态,最外层薄革质,外面密被短柔毛,始落期6月中下旬,其余纸质--膜质,外面密被或疏被毛柔毛,翌春开花时脱落完毕;（6）雏蕾有雏梗、雏花及包被雏花的佛焰苞状托叶组成;（7）分枝习性与成枝生长规律与预生分枝及预生一同生分枝呈单阶无歧、单阶1歧生长规律,稀有单阶2歧生长规律。     

间伐强度对黄桥林区辽东栎林结实规律的影响

为了阐明抚育间伐强度对辽东栎林结实规律的影响,以黄土高原南部黄龙山和桥山林区辽东栎中龄林为研究对象,对不同间伐强度(对照、10%、20%、30%)近自然经营抚育间伐5年后的林分密度与结实母树比例、平均单株结实与单位面积林分总结实量、种子在树冠上空间分布特征及种子特征等进行调查分析.结果表明: 辽东栎林结实母树的比例、平均单株结实量及发育种子比例均随着间伐强度的增大而增大,表现为30%>20%>10%>对照;而单位面积林分总结实量在20%强度间伐时达到最大,表现为20%>30%>对照>10%.从辽东栎种子在树冠上的空间分布来看,73.6%的种子集中分布于树冠上层,26.4%分布于下层.树冠阳面结实量占总结实量的65.8%,树冠阴面仅占34.2%,间伐强度对树冠下层、阴面结实量的提升幅度分别大于树冠上层和阳面.辽东栎种子的长径、短径及千粒重均随间伐强度的增大而增大,在30%间伐强度时达到最大.10%强度间伐对辽东栎林结实影响不显著,间伐强度达到20%时,才能显著提高辽东栎种子的数量和品质,继续提高间伐强度到30%时,并不能有效提高其结实,而其林分总结实量却下降.建议在对该林区进行抚育间伐时,应选择20%的间伐强度(保留郁闭度0.7),可有效提高辽东栎种群的结实量和品质.     

北京东灵山区两种生境条件下辽东栎幼苗补充与建立的比较

 北京东灵山区的人工油松（Pinus tabulaeformis）林中常常混生有萌生的辽东栎（Quercus wutaishanica）种群。局部地带辽东栎与油松形成混交林,在山脊及山坡上部一些特殊生境辽东栎甚至取代油松林成为优势种。为了探讨北京东灵山区辽东栎林的天然更新机制及辽东栎幼苗在人工油松林中的天然更新,在油松人工林的林下和林缘两种生境条件下将辽东栎种子播种于2 cm深的土中,对辽东栎幼苗的补充和建立进行了对照试验。结果显示,在辽东栎结实丰年,两种生境条件下播种后辽东栎种子丢失差异并不显著,而辽东栎幼苗补充和建立方面的差异极显著。由于森林动物特别是啮齿类动物的活动对辽东栎幼苗建立的影响具有二重性：消耗种子与促进萌发,本试验特别关注辽东栎幼苗子叶丢失现象及其丢失后果。由于辽东栎种子萌根较早,在幼苗出土前其粗大的主根长达10～20 cm,并已初步形成根系,表明已有相当比例的营养物质从子叶转移到根部。因此当幼苗出土后如果仅仅只是子叶的丢失对辽东栎幼苗的成活和生长均无明显的影响。通过研究发现辽东栎幼苗期子叶丢失有3种形式：1）仅丢失子叶,幼苗其它部位未受伤害,多发生在林缘生境中,占发芽坚果的29.69%;2）整个幼苗连根被拖出地面,多发生在林下生境,占62.43%;3）在子叶与根颈的连接处主干被咬断,林缘为50.88%,显著高于林下的8.41%。但只有后两种形式才导致幼苗死亡。导致这些现象的原因是由于林缘土壤腐殖质含量低,比较干燥,土质较坚实,以及幼苗出土前坚果主根生长得较长等缘故,当幼苗遭受动物捕食时不会轻易地被拖出地面,拖走的往往仅仅是子叶。至生长季节结束,林缘样方辽东栎幼苗的成活率接近20%,茎干平均高度7.94 cm,芽数11.24·株-1,叶片平均干重为81.14 mg·株-1,且几乎全部由丢失子叶的幼苗所构成;而林下样方辽东栎幼苗的成活率不足2%,茎干平均高度4.74 cm,芽数7.52·株-1,叶片平均干重仅为42.27 mg·株-1,以未丢失子叶的幼苗为主。试验结果表明,林缘及类似林缘的环境条件更有利于辽东栎的实生更新。     

辽东栎林内不同小生境下幼树植冠构型分析

以黄土高原黄龙山林区辽东栎林内3个小生境（林下、林隙、林缘）下辽东栎天然更新幼树为研究对象,采用典型抽样法对辽东栎幼树侧枝、叶片和树冠的空间分布状况以及生物量分配状况进行调查分析,探讨微生境与幼树植冠构型特征的关系,明确辽东栎幼树对不同小生境的适应策略,为栎林经营和林分结构优化提供理论依据。结果显示：（1）3种生境下辽东栎幼树构型发生了可塑性变化,林下幼树树冠层次比较单一,林隙与林缘的幼树树冠层次更加丰富。（2）由林下至林缘,幼树的树高、枝下高呈逐渐减小的趋势,而地径变化趋势与之相反;幼树的冠幅、树冠面积、树冠率呈先增加后减小的趋势,并且林下与林隙、林缘的差异显著;幼树的总体分枝率、逐步分枝率、枝径比呈先增加后减小的趋势。（3）3种生境下,幼树的一级枝的枝长、直径与倾角随着树高的增加而呈减小的趋势,但3种生境的差异不显著;林下一级枝主要分布在冠层中上部,而林隙与林缘一级枝主要分布在冠层中下、中上部。（4）由林下至林缘幼树叶长、叶宽、单叶面积和比叶面积逐渐降低,而单株叶数、叶总面积、叶面积指数呈先增大后减小趋势;与其他2种生境相比林下叶片分布趋于冠层上部。（5）幼树地上部分生物量中林下主干生物量占83%,枝和叶生物量只占17%;而林隙与林缘虽然各部位生物量有所差异但比例基本一致,其中主干占66%左右,枝和叶生物量占34%左右。研究表明,林隙生境下幼树的构型优于林缘和林下生境,在今后栎林的经营中,可以通过适当间伐来增加林隙数量,为森林更新和结构的优化提供有利条件。     

Frost damage and its cascading negative effects on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aesculus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">glabra</Emphasis>

Frost damage and re-foliation are seldom quantified for forest species, but are of ecological and evolutionary importance. This study of Aesculus glabra (Ohio buckeye) in a deciduous forest remnant in Illinois, USA, quantified frost damage to leaves and flowers after sub-freezing temperatures in April 2007. It also documented re-foliation and later growth, reproduction, and survival in 2007–2009 for the 355 study individuals of four life stages growing 0–200 m from the forest edge. Life stages differed in % leaf damage because of differences in phenology during the frost. Large saplings with fully expanded, immature leaves had higher % damage and lower % canopy fullness after re-foliation than smaller saplings with partially or fully mature leaves and canopy trees undergoing shoot expansion with folded leaflets. Percent damage increased for saplings closer to edges. Large saplings with heavier frost damage to leaves had partial re-foliation in deep shade, lower % canopy fullness, earlier senescence, a shorter growing season, and greater death of next year’s buds. By 2008, large saplings with greater damage in 2007 had more dead branches and lower % canopy fullness. By 2009, 11% of large saplings had died. In 2007, frost damaged no flowers, but final fruit crop size was negatively related to % leaf damage. Edge trees with total leaf damage aborted all fruits. The frost event differentially affected individuals in their length and time of growing season, energy budget, and, ultimately, reproduction, and survival. The population’s local-scale demography and spatial pattern also changed as large saplings died.     

Bud and growth-unit structure in seedlings and saplings of Nothofagus alpina (Nothofagaceae)

In temperate trees, axis length growth generally results from the differentiation of organs at the end of a growing season and the extension of such "preformed organs" in the next growing season. Neoformation, i.e., the simultaneous differentiation and extension of organs, has been studied for only a few species. Here we evaluated bud composition and growth unit (GU) size for seedlings and saplings of Nothofagus alpina, a valuable South American forest tree. Trunk GUs of seedlings and saplings included preformed and neoformed organs, whereas main-branch GUs of saplings were entirely preformed. The size of a GU was more closely related to the number of preformed green leaves than to the number of cataphylls of its preceding bud. Proximal buds of a trunk GU had more cataphylls and less green-leaf primordia than distal buds. Individual leaf area increased from proximal to distal positions on trunk GUs. For trunk and main-branch GUs, the length/width ratio was maximum for leaves in intermediate positions. The development of large neoformed leaves at the end of the growing season could increase the photosynthetic capacity of this species in late summer, when the activity of preformed organs is likely to be decreasing.     

Growth Context and Fate of Axillary Meristems of Young Peach Trees. Influence of Parent Shoot Growth Characteristics and of Emergence Date

The relationship between several growth components of a shootand the fates of the axillary meristems (developing in the axilsof the leaves) borne by that shoot were studied, on first-ordershoots of young peach trees. A comprehensive picture of thoserelationships was obtained by a discriminant analysis. Shootgrowth at meristem emergence date was characterized by internodelength, leaf-production rate and leaf-unfolding duration. Allpossible fates of axillary meristems at the end of the growingseason (i.e. blind nodes, single vegetative or flower bud, budassociations, sylleptic or proleptic shoots) were considered.Shoot-elongation rate determined meristem fates quantitatively.The number of buds produced by a meristem increased when theshoot-elongation rate increased. Qualitatively, the fate of axillary meristems was related tothe balance between shoot-growth components. If the subtendingleaf unfolded slowly, sylleptic or proleptic shoots were morelikely to develop than bud associations, for high shoot-elongationrates; and flower buds were more frequent than vegetative buds,for low shoot-elongation rates. Compared to flower buds, blindnodes appeared for similar shoot-elongation rates but longerinternodes and lower leaf-production rates. The emergence dateslightly modified the relation between shoot growth and axillary-meristemfates, but the main features held true throughout the growingseason. The relationships between shoot growth and meristem fates mayresult from competitive interactions between the growing subtendingleaf and the developing axillary meristem. Growing conditionsmight also influence both shoot growth and meristem fates byfavouring either cell enlargement or cell division.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, axillary meristem, meristem fate, branching, flowering, shoot growth, discriminant analysis, exploratory analysis     

Bud Structure in Relation to Shoot Morphology and Position on the Vegetative Annual Shoots of Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae)

The length and basal diameter of all lateral and terminal budsof vegetative annual shoots of 7-year-oldJuglans regia treeswere measured. All buds were dissected and numbers of cataphylls,embryonic leaves and leaf primordia were recorded. Each axillarybud was ranked according to the position of its associated leaffrom the apex to the base of its parent shoot. Bud size andcontent were analysed in relation to bud position and were comparedwith the size and number of leaves of shoots in equivalent positionswhich extended during the following growing season. Length andbasal diameter of axillary buds varied according to their positionon the parent shoot. Terminal buds contained more embryonicleaves than any axillary bud. The number of leaves was smallerfor apical and basal axillary buds than for buds in intermediatepositions on the parent shoot only. All new extended shootswere entirely preformed in the buds that gave rise to them.Lateral shoots were formed in the median part of the parentshoot. These lateral shoots derived from buds which were largerthan both apical and basal ones. Copyright 2001 Annals of BotanyCompany Juglans regia L., Persian walnut tree, branching pattern, preformation, bud content, shoot morphology     

青桃利用单、复花芽结果对盛果期生长结实的影响

青桃盛果期,特别中庸偏旺的植株,单、复花芽果枝数大体均等,复花芽果枝以其复芽个体较大,枝条较粗而往往表现为优势。然而笔者于1974—1979年观察了青桃树以单、复花芽结果对盛果初期的影响,结果表明:利用单花芽结果,控制了强旺枝和结果部位,使果枝分布均匀,树势稳定,尤其果枝数、花芽数、单株产量等的变动趋势与年度增加无关,r为:-0.2899、0.0620(单、复花芽果枝数分别占总果枝数的35.1％和16.7％),-0.3830、-0.1804(单、复花芽朵数分别占总花芽朵数的44.5％和13.4％),0.4093(单株年产量为179.4公斤,从而延长了盛果期;利用复花芽结果却相反,促进树势极性生长,旺枝增强,果枝外移,内膛空虚,尤其果枝数、花芽数、单株产量等的变动趋势随年度增加而呈显著与极显著负相关,r为:-0.8938~(**)、-0.9818~(**)(单、复花芽果枝数分别占总果枝数的27.1％和21.1％),-0.953~(**)、-0.8908~(**)(单、复花芽朵数占总花芽朵数的35.3％和6.8％).-0.8853~(**)(单株产量较单花芽结果减产19.4％),从而明显缩短盛果期。     

Periods of organogenesis in mono- and bicyclic annual shoots of Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae)

The organogenetic cycle of shoots on main branches of 4-year-old Juglans regia trees was studied. Mono- and bicyclic floriferous and vegetative annual shoots were analysed. Five parent annual shoot types were sampled between October 1992 and August 1993. Organogenesis of summer growth units was monitored between 16 Jun. and 3 Aug. 1993. Variations over time in the number of nodes, cataphylls and embryonic green leaves of terminal buds were studied. The number of nodes of parent shoot buds was compared with the number of nodes of shoots derived from parent shoot buds. The spring growth units of mono- and bicyclic shoots consist exclusively of preformed leaves which were differentiated, respectively, during the spring flush of growth (mid-April until mid-May) or the summer flush of growth (mid-June until early August) in the previous growing season. Thus, winter buds may consist of flower and leaf primordia differentiated in two different periods during annual shoot extension. The summer growth units of bicyclic shoots consist of preformed leaves that were differentiated in spring buds during the spring flush of growth in the current growing season. Bud morphology is compared between spring and summer shoots.     

Shoot elongation,leaf demography and bud formation in relation to branch position on Larix laricina saplings

Summary Shoot development was investigated on branches of Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch trees growing in their 8th year in two plantations and in a natural stand approximately 12 years old. Expansion of throughout-crown series of short and long shoots was measured weekly, and later colour change and natural fall of leaves were assessed. Similar shoots were collected at intervals and dissected, the long shoots by 25-leaf segments. Leaf area and weight, as well as time of bud formation, were determined. Increasing acropetal trends were evident in time to bud burst: duration of short-shoot leaf-cluster expansion; size of leaf clusters and number, area and weight of leaves per cluster; duration and rate of long-shoot elongation; number, area and weight of leaves on long shoots; time to terminal-bud formation on long shoots. Along each long shoot, stem and leaf elongation and lateral-axis formation progressed acropetally. Lateral axes were most numerous on second to fourth 25-leaf segments. On longer shoots, some axes in middle segments developed as sylleptic short shoots rather than as lateral buds. Leaves of short shoots and basal leaves on long shoots turned yellow and abscissed sooner than axial leaves on long shoots. Colour change and loss among axial leaves were acropetal along shoots and up the crown. Thus, last-formed leaves, in axils of some of which lastformed lateral buds occurred, were held longest.     

Increasing growing points and oil yields in lavender by growth regulator sprays

Immature plants ofLavandula angustifolia x L. latifolia (cv. Twickle Purple) were sprayed with Atrinal and P293 when the growing shoots bore four to six expanded leaves. Atrinal increased the number of inflorescences per plant by stimulating otherwise dormant axillary buds on the shoots of the current season. The number of nonflowering shoots arising on older wood was also increased. The number of florets and the fresh weight per inflorescence were reduced, but the number of florets per plant was increased overall. Oil content per plant was doubled without altering oil composition or floret structure. Flower stalks were shortened below and between the floral nodes. Atrinal sprays achieved a machine-harvestable canopy in 3-year-old plants. Untreated plants required a full year longer to develop similar canopies. P293 and manual disbudding were not as effective as Atrinal. It is suggested that such spray treatments have a useful potential in reducing the time required for the development of the mature canopy form, and so obtaining earlier financial returns on establishment costs.     

HETEROPHYLLY AND NEOFORMATION OF LEAVES IN SUGAR MAPLE (ACER SACCHARUM)

Variation in leaf form and timing of leaf initiation were investigated in vigorous leader shoots of open-grown saplings and larger forest trees of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). Winter buds of leader shoots usually contained 6 or 8 leaf primordia and embryonic leaves, whereas 12 to 18 leaves typically expanded along the shoots each year. Preformed (early) leaves differ in form from neoformed (late) leaves. As in some other Acer species, the first-formed late leaves have large angles of secondary lobe divergence and deeply indented sinuses. This pattern of heterophylly contributes to the multilayered nature of open-grown saplings and leader shoots of forest trees of sugar maple.     

Acorn production is linked to secondary growth but not to declining carbohydrate concentrations in current-year shoots of two oak species

In trees, reproduction constitutes an important resource investment which may compete with growth for resources. However, detailed analyses on how growth and fruit production interact at the shoot level are scarce. Primary canopy growth depends on the development of current-year shoots and their secondary growth might also influence the number and size of fruits supported by them. We hypothesise that an enhanced thickening of current-year shoots is linked positively to acorn production in oaks. We analysed the effect of acorn production on shoot growth of two co-occurring Mediterranean oak species with contrasting leaf habit (Quercus ilex, Quercus faginea). Length and cross-sectional area of current-year shoots, apical bud mass, number of leaves and acorns, xylem and conductive area, number of vessels of acorn-bearing and non-bearing shoots were measured in summer and autumn. Nitrogen and carbohydrates analyses were also performed in stems and leaves of both shoot types. Stem cross-sectional area increased in acorn-bearing shoots when compared with non-bearing shoots for both species and such surplus secondary growth was observed since summer. In bearing shoots, the total transversal area occupied by vessels decreased significantly from basal to apical positions along the stem as did the xylem area and the number of vessels. Leaves of bearing shoots showed lower nitrogen concentration than those of non-bearing shoots. Carbohydrate concentrations did not differ in stems and leaves as a function of the presence of acorns. Such results suggest that carbohydrates may preferentially be allocated towards reproductive shoots, possibly through enhanced secondary growth, satisfying all their carbon demands for growth and reproduction. Our findings indicate that acorn production in the two studied oaks depends on shoot secondary growth.