Comparing crown growth and phenology of juvenile, early mature, and late mature Metrosideros polymorpha trees

A large sample of terminal (apical) twigs was marked in a 1-yr study of crown growth of juvenile, early mature, and late mature Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud. (Myrtaceae) trees. Populations of terminal twigs in upper crowns of juvenile, early, and late mature trees increased by 10%, 33%, and 5%, respectively. Vegetative flushing occurred at all times of the year. Length of dormancy before bud-break was variable and not synchronized among twigs. Mature trees showed temporal peaks in flowering that were not the same for early and late mature trees. The greatest differences in crown growth processes among the three life states were associated with intensity of flowering and spatial organization of the region of high vegetative growth.