Studying trees from the roots to the tops

Last autumn we took xylem samples from the roots to the tops of pine, spruce and birch trees.

Since then, Magdalena has been preparing the samples for light and scanning electron microscopy and analyzing the conduit and pit dimensions. We want to learn more about the scaling of these wood traits with distance from the treetop.

The heart shaped wood cross section on the picture is from a pine root, the other images show some treetops during sample preparation.