A comparative study of wind damage to the leaves of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplantanus L.).

  • Brian S. Rushton Department of Biology, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 ISA.
  • Anne E. Toner Department of Biology, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 ISA.
Keywords: leaf damage, regression analysis, ash, sycamore, Fraxinus excelsior L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., wind damage.

Abstract

Wind damage to the leaves of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and Sycamore (Acer pseudoplantanus L.) was assessed on 15 trees of each species growing together at the same site, about 5 km from the coast in Co. Londonderry, at the end of the growing season in September, 1986. 99.2% of all leaves of Sycamore and 88.8% of all leaves of Ash showed some degree of wind damage. The mean area of damage for all the sycamore leaves was 2-41% whilst that for Ash was significantly lower at 1.38%. The damage to Sycamore leaves consisted of a combination of discoloured areas, lesions, tears and actual loss of lamina area whilst damage to the Ash leaves was largely confined to the leaflet tips which were either dead or missing. It is suggested that in the case of Ash the damage was the result of excessive drying-out of the leaflet tips whilst for Sycamore the damage seemed to be the result of abrasion with adjacent leaves and twigs. Regression analysis established that there was a positive relationship between percentage damage and leaf area in Sycamore but the relationship for Ash was not significant.
Published
1988-11-01
How to Cite
Rushton, B. S. and Toner, A. E. (1988) “A comparative study of wind damage to the leaves of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplantanus L.).”, Irish Forestry. Available at: https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/9627 (Accessed: 28March2024).
Section
Articles