Why does a branch suffer more after branch-wide than after tree-wide defoliation ?

We investigated the way in which the pattern and extent of defoliation (a single branch or all the branches of the tree) and fertilization the growth and foliage carbon/nitrogen ratios of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) branches of different ages and thus different relative growth rates. Our objective was to contrast two hypotheses, operating at different levels, explaining consequences of defoliation : the carbon/nutrient (C/N) balance hypothesis, which builds on defence-related changes in foliage carbon vs nutrients, and the source/sink hypothesis which emphasizes defoliation-caused disturbances in the source/sink balance, and the consequent quantitative changes in growth (...)

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