Regulation of cambial activity in relation to environmental conditions: understanding the role of temperature in wood formation of trees

Abstract

The timing of cambial reactivation plays an important role in determination of the amount and quality of wood and the environmental adaptivity of trees. Environmental factors, such as temperature, influence the growth and development of trees. Temperatures from late winter to early spring affect the physiological processes that are involved in the initiation of cambial cell division and xylem differentiation in trees. Cumulative elevated temperatures from late winter to early spring result in earlier initiation of cambial reactivation and xylem differentiation in tree stems and an extended growth period. However, earlier cambial reactivation increases the risk for frost damage because the cold tolerance of cambium decreases after cambial reactivation. The present review focuses on temperature regulation on the timing of cambial reactivation and xylem differentiation in trees, and also highlights recent advances in our understanding of seasonal changes in the cold stability of microtubules in trees. The review also summarizes the present understanding of the relationships between the timing of cambial reactivation, the start of xylem differentiation and changes in levels of storage materials in trees, as well as an attempt to identify the source of energy for cell division and differentiation. A better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate wood formation in trees and the influence of environmental conditions on such mechanisms should help in efforts to improve and enhance the exploitation of wood for commercial applications and to prepare for climatic change.

Forests synchronize their growth in contrasting Eurasian regions in response to climate warming

“…Rising temperatures may induce earlier cambial reactivation (40), resulting in both a higher rate of xylem cell production and a longer duration of cambial growth, which in principle should increase ring width (41). This was not the case for Siberia, however, where an earlier onset of cambial activity may be associated with an increased risk of frost damage to the cambium (40).…”

Temperate and boreal forest tree phenology: from organ-scale processes to terrestrial ecosystem models

“…Both external and internal factors control xylogenesis (Wilson 1984;Aloni 2013) and are likely involved in the regulation of its timing (Lachaud et al 1999). Among these factors, temperature is expected to be a major cue for the phenology of xylogenesis, considering its influence on cell structure (Begum et al 2012) and on basic processes, such as the modulation of the division rate of cambium initials (Begum et al 2013) and the regulation of gene expression related to active auxin transport (Schrader et al 2003).…”

“…Moreover, the resumption of cambial activity can be triggered during late winter by an artificial heating of tree stems (Oribe et al 2003;Begum et al 2007Begum et al , 2010. Interestingly, this artificial resumption of cambial activity can only be triggered during the ecodormancy phase of cambium tissue (referred to as the "quiescent phase" in Oribe and Kubo 1997;Begum et al 2013) after the chilling requirement has been fulfilled during endodormancy (referred to as the "rest phase" in Little and Bonga 1974;Begum et al 2013). However, the influence of temperature on cambium activity remains equivocal.…”

“…However, it is likely that the auxins produced in elongating buds are necessary for sustaining a high division rate in the newly activated cambium (Dufour and Morin 2010). Temperature is a major cue for all of these processes because it controls both the break from the period of ecodormancy in buds (hence, the production of auxins) and the sensitivity of cambium to auxins (see, e.g., Lachaud et al 1999;Fonti et al 2007;Begum et al 2013).…”

Effect of Climatic Conditions on Tree-Ring Widths in Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in the city of Wrocław

“…Similarly, Feliksik et al (2007) found that cold winters and low air temperature in early spring, as well as low amount of precipitation during the summer (June-July), were the most important meteorological elements inhibiting the radial growth of black locust. The air temperature from late winter to early spring affects the physiological processes involved in the initiation of cambial cell production and in differentiation of xylem cells in the tree (Begum et al, 2013). Importantly, premature initiation of cambial activity increases the risk of damage to biomass growth because of a sudden drop in air temperature below the physiological tolerances of the tree.…”