Springwood / Earlywood - In cross section, earlywood or springwood is the xylem which has become lignified (became wood) in the spring in the current growth increment. It precedes the Latewood or Summerwood. It is the first wood to be formed in the growth increment. In girth, we break down the current growth and lignifications into two periods - Early and Late, or as some label it - Spring and Summer. Remember the cambium zone does not produce wood on the inside, but, xylem. The new born material is not correctly termed wood until it is lignified. See “Latewood” or “Summer Wood". Free water moves only in the latewood of the current increment during the end of the growth period in some tyloses- forming species of ring-porous trees such as American elm.
Click here for picture
See TREE ANATOMY, SHIGO, 1994
Text & Graphics Copyright © 2007 Keslick & Son Modern Arboriculture
Please report web site problems, comments and words of interest, not found.