Radial variation of vessel size and distribution in cork oak wood ( Quercus suber L.)

摘要: Quercus suber L. is an important species producing cork whose wood characteristics have not been investigated a lot. Cork oak vessels are striking feature and the most abundant tissue largely influencing density permeability. Vessel size distribution were studied in approximately 40 year-old never debarked oaks by continuously measuring along radial direction transverse section of discs taken at 1.3 m height using image analysis techniques. The vessel increases with age from 7660 ± 2286 to 21136 6119 μm2, conductive area 5.4 2.2 11.6 3.9%, remains constant between 5.2 1.5 7.3 3.5 vessels/mm2. In comparison ring-porous some evergreen oaks, show similar but smaller vessels. architecture known play role on tolerance hydric stress, these trees growing under very harsh edaphoclimatic conditions, tolerated other oaks. well-developed deep root system allowing access water supply may contribute oak’s relatively high area.