SUMMARYConcentrations of soluble and bound phenolic cotnpounds were measured in needles of 3-yr-old loblolly pme {Pinus taeda L.) trees exposed from May to November 1993 to a range of ozone (O3) concentrations in open-top fidd chambers. The treatments were charcoal-filtered air (CF). non-filtered air (NF), and NF air with O, added at 1-5 times (NF 1-5) and 2-0 times (NF 2-0) the ambient O, concentration for 12 h daily. Average daily (0800-2000 hours) O3 concentrations in the CF.NF, NF ISandNF 2 0 treatments were r. 29, 47, 76 and 98 nl 1"', respectively, for the 140 d treatment period. At tbe end of the treatment period, total phenolic and proanthoc\anidin concentrations in the previous year's needles were 25-29'\, higher in the NF 2'0 treatment compared v\ ith the lower O., treatments. Catechin concentration increased in the previous year's needles by as mucb as 81 ''" between the NF 2-0 treatment and tbe lower O^ treatments. Catechin is an effective antioxidant, and elevated levels migbt confer some protection against O^ injury. No significant differences in total phenolics and proanthocyanidins in the previous year's needles were detected among the remaining O^ treatments, or among any C>. , treatment for tbe current year's needles. Lignin content in needles of botb years was not significantly affected by O,j exposure. Changes in the phenolic content of older needles in response to elevated O^ could alter plant-patbogen interactions and slow down microbial decomposition, which could contribute to a decline in site soil quality.