Comparison of chilling requirements of boreal and temperate tree species in Germany and North America

Key Points

• Boreal tree species require significantly more chilling hours for optimal growth compared to temperate species, indicating an adaptation to colder climates.
• For instance, boreal species showed a need for up to 1,200 chilling hours, while temperate species often thrive with only 800 chilling hours.
• Field observations across various regions in Germany and North America highlighted clear differences in growth patterns linked to chilling requirements.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering chilling requirements for species management and conservation efforts under climate change.