Anatomic characteristics of the wood of Bursera lancifolia (Schltdl.) Engl. with dendrocronological potential

Abstract

Certain tropical tree species form growth rings marked by fibers, strips of marginal or terminal parenchyma or by the caliber of early wood vessels. These characteristics are used for interpreting growth rates and ages. This paper assesses those anatomical properties of the wood of Bursera lancifolia that have dendrochronological value. 10 cores were obtained from three trees in order to characterize the cell types marking the ring and to carry out their anatomical study. The cores were dated May 2010, with a correlation of 0.339, using the COFECHA software, and a chronological series of 69 years was dated using an average sensitivity of 0.410; this chronology established a correlation with the meteorological precipitation data for the area. The results show that Bursera lancifolia is sensitive to marking growth rings with radially compressed, septated and functionally storing fibers. The wood has a diffuse porosity with a scarce axial parenchyma and multiseriate radii. The statistical parameters show that B. lancifolia is sensitive to climate and has a similar behavior to that of the conifers utilized to reconstruct the climate of central Mexico. The use of the wood of this species is recommended for dendrochronological studies.