The study of shoot growth and mortality provide essential information on tree growth dynamics. This study shows the patterns of growth and mortality in shoots of ten common tree species in a "cerrado" sensu stricto. Mean annual branch growth was variable among the species and ranged from 1 to 17 cm per year. Miconia pohliana Cogn. and Vochysia thyrsoidea Pohl were the ones with the highest rates of branch growth. Most shoot mortality took place during the dry season. In conclusion, shoot loss is a very common phenomenon in "cerrado" tree species and their impacts on productivity studies and growth analysis should be considered.
mortality; phenology; productivity; savanna; shoot growth
