Overwinter storage of carbohydrate in aspen

Authors

Wayne D. Shepperd
Donald R. Reichert
Stephen A. Mata

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society

Volume

40

First Page

45

Last Page

48

Publication Date

2004

Abstract

Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC percent dry weight) of various tissues was monitored overwinter in four aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clones in central Colorado. Midwinter TNC was highest in root phloem, followed by bark, small roots, root xylem and stem sapwood respectively. Photosynthates were not immediately trans- located to roots with the onset of dormancy, but persisted in bark, possibly due to photosynthetic activity, throughout the fall before being transferred to root phloem tissue in mid to late winter. Small roots and woody tissue do not appear to play a significant role in carbohydrate storage. These TNC allocation patterns may help explain seasonal aspen herbivory, particularly the stripping of bark by deer, elk and moose in winter.

Recommended Citation

Shepperd, Wayne D.; Reichert, Donald R.; and Mata, Stephen A., "Overwinter storage of carbohydrate in aspen" (2004). Aspen Bibliography. Paper 87.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/aspen_bib/87