Effect of Spring Freeze on Radial Increment of American Beech at Different Elevations

A cold air mass with below-freezing temperatures injured newly developing foliage of many hardwood species at higher elevations in central West Virginia the last week in May 1961. Injury was greatest at the highest elevation and gradually lessened with decreasing elevation. American beech was one of the species most severely injured. Width of the 1961 annual ring of the beech was studied and related to degree of foliage injury associated with elevation. Ring widths were found to be about 10 percent of normal at 4,000 feet where the new foliage was killed, and gradually increased in width as foliage injury and elevation became less.