Growth, morphology and flooding adaptability of Taxodium distichum plants planted under swamp condition

Abstract

Effects of depth of flooding on growth and tree morphology were investigated in about 40 years old Taxodium distichum trees planted at the border of Kamataike reservoir, Kyushu University Forest, Fukuoka. Height growth was suppressed as the increase in water depth. The lower portion of trunks at shallower regions indicated buttress-shaped stem form, whereas that of deeper regions was bottle-shaped form. Spongy bark tissue composed of enlarged cell diameter and expanded intercellular spaces was observed in stems at the water level and apical portions of knee roots. Lysigenous intercellular spaces were observed near the apices of floating roots.