an
abscission scar on the trunk of Castilla where a branch has been shed
Cladoptosis (
Ancient Greekκλάδοςkládos "branch", πτῶσιςptôsis "falling" [noun]; sometimes pronounced with the p silent) is the regular shedding of
branches.[1] It is the counterpart for branches of the familiar process of regular leaf shedding by
deciduous trees. As in leaf shedding, an
abscission layer forms, and the branch is shed cleanly.
Functions of cladoptosis
Cladoptosis is thought to have three possible functions: self-pruning (i.e. programmed
plant senescence), drought response (characteristic of
xerophytes) and
liana defence.
Self-pruning is the shedding of branches that are shaded or diseased, which are potentially a drain on the resources of the tree.
Drought response is similar to the leaf-fall response of drought-deciduous trees; however, leafy shoots are shed in place of leaves. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) provides an example, as do other members of the family
Cupressaceae.
In tropical forests, infestation of
tree canopies by woody climbers or
lianas can be a serious problem. Cladoptosis – by giving a clean
bole with no support for climbing plants – may be an adaptation against lianas, as in the case of Castilla.
Lorenza M. Bellani; Alessandro Bottacci (2004). "Anatomical studies of branchlet abscission related to crown modification in Quercus cerris L.". Trees. 10 (1): 20–23.