1989 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 139-146
Seasonal fluctuations in branch and leaf death were followed in experimental plots of young Cryptomeria japonica stands of different spacings. Dead branches and leaves were detached from sample trees at regular intervals for examination. Branch and leaf death occurred mainly in September and October, Branch death during this period amounted to 90% or more of the annual sum in many sample trees. A close correlation was found between the diameter at breast height and the amount of dead branch or leaf materials in each plot. Using this correlation, annual amounts of dead branch and leaf materials were estimated in each plot. The respective estimates of dead branches and leaves including ones attached to dead trees, probably due to self-thinning, were 1.8 and 5.1 t・ha-1・yr-1 in plot S (3,333 seedlings planted ha-1), 1.3 and 4.8 t・ha-1・yr-1 in M (6,667 ha-1), and 1.4 and 5.6 t・ha-1・yr-1 in D (13,333 ha-1).
