STRUCTURE OF CLONES OF NORTHERN PRICKLY ASH (XANTHOXYLUM AMERICANUM)

Clones of northern prickly ash (Xanthoxylum americanum) were excavated to expose their horizontal root structure and pattern of vegetative spread; stems and horizontal roots were mapped. Most of the root system was very shallow (< 10 cm deep). Stems and roots were aged from annual rings. The four clones studied ranged in age from 26 to 33 yrs. All root connections between shoots were maintained for the life of the clone. Clones were found to be single individuals in a physical as well as a genetic sense. There was virtually no overlap of adjacent clones; horizontal roots turned away or stopped growing when the border of another clone was encountered. No differences were found between male and female clones in above- or below-ground morphology. There was, however, a great deal of intrasexual variation among clones.