SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY XYLEM IN PINUS STROBUS L

Secondary xylem, or wood, is the tissue that conducts water and minerals in the tree; thus it performs physiologically one of the most important functions for the tree. In addition secondary xylem is the tissue that primarily determines the suitability of a tree for various economic uses. Investigation of the development of secondary xylem shows that it was gradual. Xylem mother cells, the immediate derivatives of cambial initals, were, at first, small cells with thin cell walls. Then the xylem mother cells enlarged radially, but still retained thin cell walls. When these cells reached the radial diameter of mature tracheids, the secondary wall deposition began. This continued until thick, rigid cell walls were attained. These thick, rigid walls determine the physical properties of a certain species of wood. This investigation shows that physical properties of tracheids can differ with stages of development. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.