Critical steps and troubleshooting in sample preparation for wood and phloem formation: from sampling to microscopic observation: Kritični koraki in reševanje težav pri pripravi vzorcev za spremljanje nastajanja lesa in floema: od vzorčenja do opazovanja pod mikroskopom | Kritični koraki in reševanje težav pri pripravi vzorcev za spremljanje nastajanja lesa in floema: od vzorčenja do opazovanja pod mikroskopom: Critical steps and troubleshooting in sample preparation for wood and phloem formation: from sampling to microscopic observation

English. We present a technical note that supplements published procedures on optimal sample preparation for performing wood and phloem formation analyses. Before beginning sampling, it is important to learn about the characteristics of the tree or shrub species to be investigated. Some tips are given how to use the Trephor tool in the best way, how to remove the outer hard bark (periderm), how microcores should be handled after removal from the tree, and how they should be oriented for embedding in paraffin, and cutting thin sections for microscopy. Possible defects that may result from improper handling are illustrated and discussed. We also present optimal images to accurately identify different cell development stages in phloem and xylem, which is particularly challenging in hardwoods and Mediterranean tree and shrub species.

Slovenian. Predstavljamo tehnična navodila, ki dopolnjujejo objavljene postopke za optimalno pripravo vzorcev za izvajanje analiz nastajanja lesa in floema. Pred začetkom vzorčenja je potrebno poznati značilnosti drevesne ali grmovne vrste, ki jo želimo preiskovati. Podanih je nekaj nasvetov, kako najbolje uporabiti orodje Trephor, kako odstraniti zunanjo trdo skorjo (periderm), kako ravnati z mikro izvrtki po odvzemu iz debla in kako jih orientirati za vklapljanje v parafin in rezanje tankih rezin za mikroskopske preiskave. Prikazane in razložene so možne napake, ki lahko nastanejo zaradi neustreznega ravnanja v različnih korakih postopka. Predstavljamo tudi optimalne slike tkiv za prepoznavanje različnih razvojnih faz celic v floemu in ksilemu, ki je še posebej zahtevno pri listavcih ter sredozemskih drevesnih in grmovnih vrstah.