DESICCATION OR FREEZING - MECHANISMS OF WINTER INJURY TO RED SPRUCE FOLIAGE

Selected branches of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) saplings growing at 900 m in elevation on Camels Hump Mountain, Vermont, were treated with an acrylic polymer antitranspirant (Adkar Cloud Cover) in October 1989. Winter injury was subsequently apparent on first-year foliage on 1 February 1990. Addition of antitranspirant significantly increased chloroform extractable wax (plus antitranspirant) weight and cuticle (plus antitranspirant) thickness. The treatment reduced cuticular transpiration under laboratory conditions, but did not lessen the severity of visually apparent winter injury. Xylem water potential of damaged and undamaged branches did not differ. Fresh to dry weight ratios revealed a tendency for damaged needles to desiccate rapidly following winter injury. Foliar pigment concentrations were negatively correlated with severity of winter damage. These results suggest that winter desiccation plays a minor role in inducing winter injury to red spruce foliage.