The radial distribution of¹³⁷Cs and⁴⁰K in tree stems

Abstract

Abstract Analysis of phloem and successive xylem rings from five trees (American beech, Bitternut hickory, Black locust, Red Oak, Sugar maple) for 137Cs and 40K by gamma‐ray spectrometry showed a positive correlation between the concentration of 137Cs and the sapwood/heartwood boundary in the American beech. There was, however, no correlation between the advent of nuclear weapon testing and the concentration of 137Cs in the xylem of any of the trees studied. Key words: Tree analysisCesium‐137 uptakeAmerican beech