Synchronous pressure-potential changes in the phloem of Fraxinus americana L.

Simultaneous measurement of the pressure potential of the phloem of F. americana made on two locations on the trunk over long periods of time showed synchronous oscillations of no fixed period during the day. The simultaneous changes in pressure in two different trees indicated environmental changes were responsible for the synchrony. The coincident changes of pressure 5 m apart on the same trunk implied that either transpiration had an immediate and direct effect upon the pressure potentials developed in the phloem because of the intimate relationship of the phloem water potential and the water potential of the adjacent transpiration stream, or factors affecting phloem loading resulted in pressure changes throughout the phloem.