Shade Tolerance in Seedlings of Chinese Tallow Tree, American Sycamore, and Cherrybark Oak

Abstract

JoNEs, R. H. AND K. W. McLEOD (Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802). Shade tolerance in seedlings of Chinese tallow tree, American sycamore, and cherrybark oak. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 116: 371-377. 1989.-Dry mass and net photosynthesis (Ps) were measured for first-year seedlings of Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb.), American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.), and cherrybark oak (Quercus falcata var. pagodifolia Ell.) grown in 5 and 100% of full sunlight. In 5% light, tallow tree exceeded sycamore and oak in dry mass and Ps, while in full sunlight both tallow tree and sycamore exceeded oak. Compared to the other species, tallow tree supported more perennial tissue per unit of leaf dry mass. These results are consistent with the observation that Chinese tallow tree can establish under closed canopies and grow rapidly in full sunlight.