Abstract
We investigated influences of mast seeding on tree growth, in relation to beech tree species Fagus crenata and F. japonica dynamics of leaf litterfall. The study objective was to clarify any relations between mast seeding and twelve years of leaf litterfall and basal area increment of mature F. crenata and F. japonica trees in a natural forest. Results showed both Fagus species decreased in leaf litterfall mass (g/m2) with increasing amount of nuts and cupules. This suggests that leaf production was smaller in good or middle seed mast years compared to poorer or non-seed years. Results further showed a decline of basal area increment during good seed years. Moreover, decline of basal area increment seemed to extend into the year after good seed years. This suggests that the ontogeny for both F. crenata and F. japonica might require several years to restore resources for reproductive organs for flowering and mast seeding.
