Relationship between tree development, mean annual increment and internal wood decay in veteran Tilia trees

This study aimed at classifying nineteen veteran lime trees (Tilia cordata Mill., T. platyphyllos scop. and T. x europaea L.) in their development. Tilia spp. was chosen because it is long lived and widely present in Belgium. A classification in five steps (A to E) is proposed, based on crown and trunk status, quantity of decaying wood and mean annual girth increment (MAI) as an additionnal criterion. We tested the relationship between veteran tree development and MAI. Threshold values were determined to help distinguish steps A to E. The relationship between trunk growth dynamics, and crown and root development is also discussed.