Induction of plant defences can show various levels of localization, which can optimize their efficiency. Locally induced responses may be particularly important in large plants, such as trees, that show high variability in traits and herbivory rates across their canopies. We studied the branch-localized induction of polyphenols, volatiles (VOCs), and changes in leaf protein content in Carpinus betulus L., Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata L. in a common garden experiment. To induce the trees, we treated ten individuals per species on one branch with methyl jasmonate. Five other individuals per species served as controls. We measured the traits in the treated branches, in control branches on treated trees, and in control trees. Additionally, we ran predation assays and caterpillar food-choice trials to assess the effects of our treatment on other trophic levels. Induced VOCs included mainly mono- and sesquiterpenes. Their production was strongly localized to the treated branches in all three tree species studied. Treated trees showed more predation events than control trees. The polyphenol levels and total protein content showed a limited response to the treatment. Yet, winter moth caterpillars preferred leaves from control branches over leaves from treated branches within C. betulus individuals and leaves from control Q. robur individuals over leaves from treated Q. robur individuals. Our results suggest that there is a significant level of localization in induction of VOCs and probably also in unknown traits with direct effects on herbivores. Such localization allows trees to upregulate defences wherever and whenever they are needed.

Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Entomology Branisovska 31 37005 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia Branisovska 31 37005 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing Institute for Geography Leipzig University Johannisallee 19a 04103 Leipzig Germany

German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle Jena Leipzig Puschstrasse 4 04103 Leipzig Germany

Institute for Biology University of Leipzig Johannisallee 21 23 04103 Leipzig Germany

Institute of Biodiversity University of Jena Dornburger Str 159 07743 Jena Germany

Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry 07745 Jena Germany

Natural Chemistry Research Group Department of Chemistry University of Turku FI 20500 Turku Finland

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