Abstract: Leaf expansion and leaf traits of Castanopsis fargesii,including leaf length,leaf width,leaf area,leaf dry mass per unit area and chlorophyll,together with leaf phenology,including timing of leaf emergence,duration of emergence,expansion,and leaf expansion rate,were investigated from the beginning of March to early June of 2008,in the evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Tiantong National Forest Park of Zhejiang,China.It was found that the leaf area increment duration was 34 days;the highest leaf expansion rate 40.5%·d^-1;the larger the mature leaf area,the higher the leaf expansion rate;the specific leaf weight increased in a fluctuant way;the leaf water content increased in the first phase of leaf development and declined in the late phase;and the leaf chlorophyll content increased gradually with the leaf area.The correlation analyses of the leaf expansion rate,leaf area and leaf properties show that leaf expansion rate is positively and significantly related to leaf area and chlorophyll content(α=0.01) separately.Leaf area is positively and significantly related to leaf water content and chlorophyll content(α=0.01) separately.Leaf chlorophyll content is also positively and significantly related to leaf water content(α=0.01).

Key words: Castanopsis fargesii, leaf expansion rate, specific leaf weight