A Dendroclimatological analysis of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) from Lithuania

Abstract

This study presents results of a dendroclimatological study on the radial growth of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) in Lithuania. Analysis of response function has shown that tree-ring widths of larch are inversely correlated with air temperature in the previous summer, and directly related to temperature in April–May and precipitation in June of the current growth season. The sharp decreases in radial growth were mainly provoked by droughts in summer; positive pointer years were triggered by warmer conditions and abundant precipitation in summer. The light rings in larch coincide with negative pointer years and perhaps contain a non-climatic signal.