In the stems of terrestrial vascular plants studied to date, the diameter of xylem water‐
conducting conduits D widens predictably with distance from the stem tip L approximating …

Abstract Purpose of Review This review shows that a more or less constant rate of tip-to-
base vessel widening across species, together with the assumption that wider vessels are …

We still have a poor understanding of what limits tree growth under many conditions. In
general, tree growth can be limited by the availability of carbon within the plant (carbon …

Quantitative wood anatomy analyzes the variability of xylem anatomical features in trees,
shrubs, and herbaceous species to address research questions related to plant functioning …

Interannual variability of wood density–an important plant functional trait and environmental
proxy–in conifers is poorly understood. We therefore explored the anatomical basis of …

Efforts to develop mechanistic tree growth models are hindered by the uncertainty of
whether and when tree growth responses to environmental factors are driven by carbon …

Background and Aims During the growing season, the cambium of conifer trees produces
successive rows of xylem cells, the tracheids, that sequentially pass through the phases of …

Within a tree the lumen of the xylem conduits varies widely (by at least 1 order of
magnitude). Transversally in the stem conduits are smaller close to the pith and larger in the …

Tree responses to altered water availability range from immediate (eg stomatal regulation) to
delayed (eg crown size adjustment). The interplay of the different response times and …

The structural and functional traits of coniferous trees can reflect their growth states and
adaptive strategies to a harsh environment. However, it is still unclear if and how hydraulic …