Foliage damage in coniferous trees following volcanic ashfall from Mt. St. Helens

The foliage of coniferous plants in the area to the northeast of Mt. St. Helens, Washington State, was exposed to heavy ashfall during the May 18, 1980 eruption of the volcano. Significant damage to the pre-1980 foliage occurred after the eruption and continued through the summer. The amount of damage seen on the needles was significantly related to the amount of ash on the foliage. Elevated temperatures caused the foliage damage. The presence of ash on the foliage increased the dimensions of the shoot, thus increasing the boundary layer resistance. In turn this change in geometry elevated needle temperatures. Typical maximum needle temperatures for ash-laden foliage of Abies amabilis were in the range of 35° to 45° C and were 10° C above those of plants without ash. Damage occurred to needles at 40° C after a short growth-chamber exposure. Temperatures within the ash on the foliage also exceeded 40 degrees C. Neither chemical nor mechanical (abrasion) damage occurred. There was no melting of the cuticle. The plants with ash-covered foliage did not experience lower water potentials than those of control plants. The total radiation reflected from the needles was similar for foliage with and without ash.