Sprouting of tree is one of the life history strategies. Although the ability and ecological significance of sprout varies in species or habitat, there were few reports about these sprouting traits of tall trees. Pterocarya rhoifolia have sprout, especially in snow-rich area. We studied the growth characteristics and demography of P. rhoifolia and discuss its ecological significance of sprouting.

We set a 0.25-ha study plot at Niigata University Forest where the maximum snow depth is about 3m. The basal diameter and height of all stems were measured in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Population dynamics were analyzed by using matrix model which were constructed 2 years stem-census data.

The main stem of the juveniles was broken by snow pressure. Such individuals began to sprout and survived. The mature trees had many small sprouts and 1-3 stems reached the canopy layer in an individual. Elasticity matrix suggested recruitment of sprouts has more effect on population growth than seedlings. Population growth rate was 1.0. The stable stage-distribution predicted from the matrix model was similar to the observed distribution.

Our results represent that sprouting of P. rhoifolia in snow-rich region played a important role in maintenance of the individual for snow damage, and can maintain its population stably.