Radial Variation in Wood Anatomy of Cercis glabra and Its Application Potential: An Anatomy-Guided Approach to Sustainable Resource Utilization

This study systematically analyzes the microstructure and radial variation of Cercis glabra wood, revealing its adaptive strategies for arid environments. The results show that the wood consists of thick-walled fibers (63%) and vessels (17.7%), with a semi-ring-porous structure and 48.4% average cell wall percentage. Fiber proportion peaks early (4 years), ensuring mechanical support, while vessel adjustment occurs later (19 years), balancing water transport. Rays decline sharply in the first 9 years, stabilizing thereafter, reflecting a shift from growth to structural stability. The high fiber proportion and occasional tyloses enhance durability, making it suitable for high-quality pulp, furniture, and humid environments such as shipbuilding. A rotation period ≥ 20 years ensures stable properties. Genetic breeding could shorten the juvenile stage and optimize vessel distribution. Future research should integrate multi-omics and environmental data to deepen our understanding of its adaptation mechanisms. This study provides a basis for the utilization of C. glabra resources.