Morphological plasticity of six tree species with different light demands growing in multi-layered deciduous forests in Central Europe

Abstract Tree allometry is a plastic feature, and scaling parameters can vary considerably depending on phylogeny, life strategies, growth conditions ontogeny. We hypothesized that in multi-layered forests growing rich sites driven by stand dynamics without stand-replacing disturbances, light primary driver of allometric relationships the morphological plasticity tree species closely associated with their shade tolerance. quantified compared properties six form tolerance gradient: Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner, Quercus robur L., Fraxinus excelsior Ulmus laevis Pall., Tilia cordata Miller Carpinus betulus L. The between height local density as predictors dbh, crown width, length volume response variables were characterized. found lower layer values increased at rate light-adapted than shade-tolerant species. Conversely, traits competition was stronger ratio width-to-crown not demand. Apart from ash, which demonstrated different allocation pattern, between-species differences slenderness insignificant. Allometry sensitivity to varied trees upper layers. Our results indicate dichotomy basic strategies stress versus avoidance overly simplistic fails consider social status species-specific features such apical control.