Removal of ethanol from lodgepole pine roots.

The removal of ethanol from flooded tree roots was examined in three provenances of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) Dougl. Less than 0.2% of the ethanol generated by the roots escaped by the gaseous pathway provided by the lenticels. A large proportion, however, was transported from the roots in the transpiration stream. Gas chromatographic detection of ethanol emanating from the lenticels provided a sensitive indicator of oxygen deficits in the roots.