A NEW SLEDGE MICROTOME TO COMBINE WOOD ANATOMY AND TREE-RING ECOLOGY

Based on the Reichert Om E microtome a more sophisticated, nevertheless solely mechanically operated microtome was developed enabling to section specimens of various forms and sizes. The materials used and the special construction of the microtome resulted in a higher stability of the moving parts whilst simultaneously reducing weight. As a result of the high stability of the sledge guidance, bigger sections can be cut enabling more detailed analyses of anatomical structures within plant stems, roots or branches as well as their variation back in time. Consequently, wood anatomical parameters can be integrated more easily in time-series analyses supporting the aims of a quantitative wood ecology.