Douglas-fir displays a range of growth responses to temperature, water, and Swiss needle cast in western Oregon, USA

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) growth in the Pacific Northwest is affected,by climatic, edaphic factors and Swiss needle cast (SNC) disease. We examine Douglas-fir growth responses to temperature, dewpoint deficit (DPD), soil moisture, and SNC using time series intervention analysis of intra-annual tree-ring width data collected at nine forest stands in western Oregon, USA. Air temperature, previous-year DPD and SNC and their interactions were the primary factors influencing tree growth at all sites, whereas other key seasonal climatic factors limiting growth varied by site. Winter temperature was more important at high elevation cool sites, whereas summer temperature was more important at warm and dry sites. Growth rate increased with summer temperature to an optimum (T-opt) then decreased at higher temperatures. At drier sites, temperature and water affected growth interactively such that T-opt decreased with decreasing summer soil moisture. With increasing temperature due to climate change, growth rates increased at high elevation sites and declined at mid-elevation inland sites since 1990. Growth response to climate and SNC are confounded at all sites. We conclude that as temperature rises and precipitation patterns shift toward wetter winters and drier summers, Douglas-fir will experience greater temperature and water stress and an increase in severity of SNC. Published by Elsevier B.V.