ABSTRACT Leaf hydraulics are crucial for understanding plant water use, yet the leaf hydraulic traits of gardening trees remain poorly quantified compared to forest trees. In this study, we investigated leaf hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability, and petiole anatomy in four evergreen and three deciduous tree species in a subtropical Chinese city with a monsoon climate. We found that deciduous trees exhibited an acquisitive strategy characterized by higher leaf maximum hydraulic conductivity (K leaf‐max ) but lower leaf water potential at 50% xylem embolism (P 50‐leaf ) and a narrower hydraulic safety margin (HSM). In contrast, evergreen trees displayed a more conservative strategy with lower K leaf‐max but higher P 50‐leaf and a wider HSM. Despite overlap in leaf anatomical and structural traits between the groups, we found K leaf‐max was positively related to P 50‐leaf , minor vein density, and vessel diameter, yet negatively correlated with HSM, distance between minor veins, and vessel wall reinforcement. This pattern underscores a fundamental trade‐off between hydraulic efficiency, safety, and xylem mechanical strength. Our findings highlight a pronounced leaf habit‐driven divergence in leaf hydraulic strategies in subtropical China, providing a physiological basis for tree species selection and management.
Xie et al. (Fri,) studied this question.