Dimensional variation of axial tracheids along the stem of Sequoia sempervirens Endl (Lamb.)

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the dimensional variation of axial tracheids along the stem of Sequoia sempervirens Endl (Lamb.). Three trees with approximately 18 years old were selected, of which six discs were removed from along the height. Of each disk, three samples were taken from the vascular cambium to the medulla. For each sample we proceeded to measure the individual characteristics of tracheids. As a procedure of analyzing the results, we applied the Tukey test at 95% probability. The results indicated that the values ​​for the characteristics of tracheids resemble those reported in the literature for the genus Pinus or species belonging to Gymnosperms, except the cell wall thickness, whose values ​​were high. Regarding the variation of dimensions, only the length of tracheids from the vascular cambium to the medulla, indicated statistically a standard of variation. Evaluated traits, both in the vascular cambium to the medulla sense, as along the height, showed no definitive trend of variation.