Growth response of red spruce after known periods of winter injury

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Abstract
Winter injury occurred region wide on red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) during the winters of 1981, 1984, 1989, and 1993, affecting (primarily) needles that were produced during the growing seasons of 1980, 1983, 1988, and 1992, respectively. Red spruce trees growing in four plots, one each above and below cloud base on windward and leeward sides of Whiteface Mountain, Wilmington, N.Y., were evaluated to determine their health classification and growth characteristics in response to winter injury. When needle weight was compared between adjacent years, it was consistently greater on 1981, 1984, and 1989 internodes than on the preceding year's internodes, which were known to be affected by winter injury. When similar comparisons were made on bole growth, basal area increment consistently decreased the growing season immediately after winter injury. The decrease was significant for all health classes on both windward and leeward aspects in 1981. Historical tree-ring records dating back 100 years also showed a reduction in basal area increment associated with years of reported winter injury. Internodal length also decreased in response to winter injury. This decrease was consistent and generally significant in 1983 and 1986, each 2 years after winter injury events. Radial growth reduction in the year of, and internode growth reduction 2 years after, winter injury suggests specific growth processes associated with specific foliage.

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