Significant differences and curvilinearity in the self-thinning relationships of 11 temperate tree species assessed from forest inventory data

Introduction In pure and even-aged stands, the allometry between mean tree size and maximum stand density—or self-thinning relationship—has long been considered a constant among tree species. Although the self-thinning allometric coefficient has been shown to be species-dependent, estimates available for a given species also differ. Whether this coefficient truly varies across species thus remains an open issue. A potential cause of variation in the coefficient may lie in a departure from the allometric assumption in the self-thinning relationship.