%0 Research article
%T Allocation of above-ground growth in Pinus sylvestris – impacts of tree size and competition
%A Vanninen, Petteri
%D 2004
%J Silva Fennica
%V 38
%N 2
%R doi:10.14214/sf.425
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/425
%X The effect of tree age, size and competition on above ground growth  allocation was studied with 69 Pinus sylvestris trees. Competition was  described by tree-level indicators (needle density, crown ratio and  height-diameter ratio). The stem, branch and needle growth were  determined by stem and branch radial increments and tree level biomass  analysis. Combined growth of compartments was strongly correlated with  needle mass. Furthermore, tree age, size and competition indicators  affected the allocation of growth among the compartments. The allocation  of growth to stem and needle increased with tree age and size while the  allocation of growth to branch decreased. The increasing crown ratio  increased allocation of growth to branches. The combined growth of the  components and separate growth of needles, branches and stem were  related to needle mass. However, competition and tree size were  significant additional explanatory variables when the stem, branch and  needle growth were estimated according to needle mass. The growth  efficiency increased with relative tree height and decreased with  increasing needle density.