Microscopic Features of Wind Damage to Leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus L

Damage done when wind causes leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus L.to rub against each other is characterized by dark and lightbrown lesions and by holes and deformations of the leaf. Lightand scanning electron microscope observations show that thisdamage is associated with collapse of adaxial and abaxial epidermalcells, collapse of the mesophyll and disruption of the abaxialepicuticular waxes. Some damage may occur even when no discolorationis evident. Topographical features suggest that the adaxialsurface of the leaf is more likely to be abraded than the abaxialsurface yet in practice it generally sustains less severe damage;the results of artificial abrasion indicate that the adaxialsurface is structurally more resistant. Some of the implicationsof such damage for the plant are discussed. Acer pseudoplatanus L., sycamore, wind damage