A dendrometer band study of the seasonal pattern of radial increment in kauri (Agathis australis)

Abstract

Simple dendrometer bands were used to measure the radial increment of kauri (Agathis australis Salisb.) at 3 sites to the south and east of Auckland during the 1980–81 growing season. Diameter increment cores taken from some of the trees at the beginning and end of the study showed that the radial expansion measured by the bands correlated significantly (P<0.001) with the width of the annual ring formed over the same period. A reduction in tree growth rate during summer drought was recorded at 2 mid-altitude sites, but not near the altitudinal limit of kauri. These growth patterns were attributed to the different soil moisture conditions at the different sites.