Dendroclimatological Analysis of White Oak (Quercus alba L., Fagaceae) from an Old-Growth Forest of Southeastern Ohio, USA

Abstract

Dendrochronological techniques were applied to white oak (Quercus alba L., Fagaceae) from an old-growth, mixed mesophytic forest in southeastern Ohio (Belmont County) in order to determine the relationship between climate and radial-growth rates. Using increment cores and slabs, we created both master ring-width and basal area increment chronologies spanning 374 years (1625-1998). Both ring widths and basal area increments were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) correlated with growing season (April-July) precipitation and drought severity. Additionally, numerous current growth year and previous growth year monthly climatic conditions (precipitation, temperature, and drought severity) were significantly correlated with radial-growth rates. Analysis of extreme climatic events such as droughts revealed that significant (P ≤ 0.05) declines in radial-growth rate can be expected and may result in sustained (5 years) growth declines. We conclude that climate signals are sufficiently strong to be detected even in old-growth white oak trees growing under the complacent conditions typical of upland, mesophytic forests of the Ohio Valley.