A Consideration of the Possibility of Planting Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa on the East Sea Area in Gangwon-Province by Tree Ring Dating and Climatic Factor Analysis

Abstract We measured radial growth of Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa growing in Gangneung, Boseong, Yangsan and Ulleung-do, respectively and analyzed its relationship with temperature and precipitation. We found from the result of tree ring counting that forest stands of Cryptomeria japonica in Gangneung and Boseong was 40 to 50 years old and 50 to 70 years old in Yangsan and Ulleung-do. According to climate change, the mean temperature in Gangneung was found to be 12 o C to 13 o C which was similar to that of Boseong and Yangsan 40 to 50 years ago. While the result of the radial growth measured from Cryptomeria japonica in Gangneung showed a slightly decreasing tendency compared to the other areas, Chamaecyparis obtusa showed an increasing tendency. In the case of Cryptomeria japonica, a strong negative correlation between radial growth and climate related variables including both mean temperature and mean precipitation existed in Ulleung. There was a strong negative correlation between radial growth and mean temperature for Chamaecyparis obtusa in Yangsan, although there was a positive correlation in Gangneung and Yangsan.Key Words: Cryptomeria japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Annual diameter, Climatic Factor, Tree Ring