Changes in growth and allocation of growth in young<i>Pinus sylvestris</i>and<i>Picea abies</i>due to competition

Abstract

Morphological characteristics of beeted Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees grown under differing influence from neighbouring trees were compared. The shape of Scots pine trees showed greater plasticity in response to competition than that of Norway spruce trees. When compared at the same height, Scots pine trees growing under strong influence from neighbours had smaller stem volumes and branch basal areas, shorter branches and decreased number of current shoots compared to Scots pine trees growing under weak influence from their neighbours. In Norway spruce, the only characteristic that was significantly affected by competition was the number of current shoots.