Growth Recovery and Phenological Responses of Juvenile Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Exposed to Spring Warming and Late Spring Frost

Global change increases the risk of extreme climatic events. The impact temperature may depend on tree species and also provenance. Ten provenances Fagus sylvatica L. were grown in a common garden environment Belgium subjected to different treatments. Half one year old seedlings submitted high thermal stress spring first year, all plants exposed late frost second year. high-temperature treated displayed reduced growth which was fully compensated (recovery with exact compensation) for radial third height growth. Frost damaged part saplings their regained pre-stress rate later without compensation). treatment damage clearly influenced phenological responses event succeeding Little population differentiation observed among responses. Yet, southern provenance, non-autochthonous provenance (original German that planted about century ago) more continental flushed earlier than local Atlantic event, resulting damage. Some caution should therefore be taken when translocating as an anticipation predicted climate warming.