The limits to tree height
Koch GW, Sillett SC, Jennings GM, Davis SD. 2003. The limits to tree height
Authors' summary: "Although the conditions conducive to great height growth of trees are understood, the biophysical determinants of maximum tree height are not. We climbed and studied the tallest trees on Earth, redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) in wet temperate forests of northern California up to 112.7 m (369.9 ft) tall, the tallest known living tree. Strong gradients in structure and physiological status of foliage indicated increasing water stress with height, such that treetop photosynthesis was constrained to a similar degree as in desert plants. Here we show that four independent regression analyses of height-gradients of leaf functional characteristics yield convergent estimates of maximum tree height of 122 to 126 m, similar to the height of the tallest recorded trees of the past. As trees grow taller, increasing leaf water stress due to gravity and path length resistance may ultimately limit carbon gain for further height growth, even with ample soil moisture.”
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Koch, George; Sillett, Stephen; Jennings, Gregory; Davis, Stephen
- Date of Issue
- 2003
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Coastal redwood, Foliage, Height, height-gradient, leaf characteristics, leaf type, maximum height, Sequoia sempervirens, Water stress