Predicting the time of budburst in temperate trees.
Abstract
Four models for predicting budburst in northern broadleaved trees, based on response to spring warming alone, or with the response to spring warming modified by winter chilling, were analysed against 18-yr records for 26 species in Ohio. All models gave better predictions than could be obtained by taking average date of budburst of a species. Best predictions were obtained using spring warming from a fixed start date, or from a start date determined by the satisfaction of a chilling requirement.