The Growth Rate and Age of Tree Fern Trunks in Relation to Habitats

Not much is known about the growth rates of trunks and the phenology of leaves in tree ferns. Conant's (1976) ecogeographical studies of some Cyatheaceae were followed by those of Seiler (1981) and Tanner (1983), who investigated leaf turn-over rates and trunk growth in Alsophila salvinii and Cyathea pubescens respectively. Also, Tryon and Tryon (1982) reported different growth rates and age of some tree fern species. None of the studies, however, correlated growth rates and leaf phenology with habitats. The purpose of the present study was to see if any relationship existed between these growth parameters and habitat.