Updated 7 May 2010

Planting a new Oak Wood in Dorset

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Progress of Oak Leafing in Plantation.

The date of onset of leafing of a plantation of 258 related Quercus robur saplings in Dorset, England was studied. The results show predictable temperature dependance when measured against average daily maximum air temperature for the months of February, March and April.
Results show a 50%-leafing on 3 May for 12°C, and an increase of 1°C causing an advance of 5.7 days.
Data collected and processed by

Temperature dependance of leafing. The "50%-leafed" point was chosen, from a sample of 258, and date of occurence graphed against Average daily maximum air temperature over the 3 months (February, March, April) for different years. Results show 12°C=3 May and an increase of 1°C advances leafing by 5.7 days. Data is for 258 Quercus robur (acorns in 2000) in Bear Mead Plantation in Dorset.
Average daily maximum
air temperature °C
Month

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Apr

15.9

16.3

14.8

19.7

15.2

Mar

11.3

13.2

11.7

13.3

10.0

Feb

7.8

9.0

10.8

10.8

7.6

Average

11.6

12.9

12.4

14.6

10.9

"50%-leafed" dates

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

05 may
24 apr
02 may
18 apr
09 may

"50%-leafed" date
Av.temp Feb-Mar-Apr
New leafings per day for different years, showing temperature-dependance of leafing.
Collection of this data involves walking 15 miles per year.
24 Apr 2009
12.9°C

 

2 May 2008
12.4°C

              

18 Apr 2007
14.6°C

9 May 2006
10.8°C

                                      

Compiled, hand coded and copyright © 2008, John Palmer, All Rights Reserved.