Allometry and shade tolerance in pole-sized trees of two contrasting dipterocarp species in Sabah, Malaysia

We compared the allometry of two contrasting late-successional dipterocarp species to test whether a monolayer (shade-tolerant)-multilayer (shade-intolerant) model applies to pole-sized trees. Crown traits of the more shade-tolerant species (Vatica micrantha) did not conform to either of the familiar monolayer or multilayer models for pole-sized trees, but instead were consistent with a "persistent multilayer" model. Species differences in crown traits may be influenced more by future rather than present light environments.