ISSN:
0931-1890
Keywords:
Key words Frost crack
;
Low temperature
;
Freezing
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract In order to determine the timing of the occurrence of frost cracks, as well as to evaluate the climatic conditions associated with such occurrences, study plots were established in late autumn and early winter. Serial observations were made to identify both the occurrence of new frost cracks and the re-opening of old frost cracks in trees in the study plots until mid-winter or early spring. Field observations were conducted for three winter seasons in different study plots. Most old frost cracks were found to re-open in early winter. However, such re-opening did not occur simultaneously within a very limited period of time, for example, within a single day or night, when air temperature fell suddenly or considerably. Re-opening seemed to occur steadily over the course of several days of continuous subzero temperatures. It has been suggested that freezing of the trunk contributes considerably to the re-opening of old frost cracks. Four frost cracks from 1002 trees were newly formed during the course of this study. The new frost cracks developed both in early winter and mid-winter. It has been suggested that new frost cracks can occur during the same period when most old frost cracks re-open and the air temperature does not fall far below 0°C. However, it remains unclear whether or not there is a tendency for new frost cracks to occur during a particular period.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004680050057
