Soil frost affects stem diameter growth of Norway spruce with delay

Abstract Key message A lack of snow cover and increased soil freezing may not only have short-term impacts on trees but longer-lasting lagged effects radial growth. Soil temperature frost intensity are affected by the depth insulating timing snowmelt which predicted to change climate warming. This increase tree growth if there is less or decrease no cover, temperatures still exist. Previously, we showed that changes in manipulations a ~ 50-year-old stand Norway spruce [ Picea abies (L.) Karst.] eastern Finland two winters (2005/2006 2006/2007) led physiology, morphology, shoots roots. The treatments were: (1) control with natural accumulation melting; (2) removal during winter; (3) winter insulation at top forest floor late delay thawing. In this study, examined those trunk increment cores nine-year recovery period after termination treatments. Annual ring width index (AWI) was calculated for each year normalization respective proportion last (2005) before No differences AWI were found between manipulation period. However, started appear 1 finished, became significant 4 years later 2011 lasted 3 years. lower treatment removed than thawing, latter results indicate consequences trees. positive prolonged growing season increasing summer boreal region therefore be fully realised due negative decreased freezing.