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Published on: December 27, 2017
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Decreasing Stem Growth in Common European Tree Species Despite Earlier Growth Onset
Arun K Bose1,2, Sophia Etzold1, Katrin Meusburger1
1WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
Global Change Biology
|July 7, 2025
Summary
Global warming advances tree growth timing but does not increase annual growth. Rising temperatures negatively impact tree growth dynamics, challenging assumptions about longer growing seasons offsetting climate change impacts.
Area of Science:
- Forest ecology
- Climate change science
- Plant physiology
Background:
- Global warming is altering tree phenology, with earlier spring emergence observed.
- While early warming may boost carbon uptake, its effect on tree growth remains unclear.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind altered tree growth dynamics under climate change is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of rising temperatures on tree stem radial growth timing and dynamics.
- To analyze the relationship between environmental factors and intra- and inter-annual growth patterns.
- To assess whether a longer growing season due to warming benefits tree growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized daily dendrometer data from 228 trees across 48 Swiss forest sites (2012-2022).
- Examined growth timing, intra- and inter-annual dynamics, and environmental controls for five key tree species.
- Compared the effect of temperature, precipitation, and soil water potential on weekly growth rates.
Main Results:
- Higher winter and spring temperatures led to earlier growth initiation but did not increase total annual growth.
- Significant negative growth trends were observed for Norway spruce, Silver fir, and Beech.
- Reduced growth was linked to fewer growing days, with late-season temperature negatively impacting growth.
Conclusions:
- Climate warming does not necessarily translate to increased tree growth, challenging the notion of a longer growing season offsetting climate impacts.
- Temperature is a key driver of weekly tree growth variability, more so than precipitation or soil water.
- Findings suggest that common Central European tree species may not benefit from warming-induced longer growing seasons.
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