Mortality and Growth in a Sessile Oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.]-Dominated Young Stand Managed through Silvicultural Operations of Different Types and Intensities
Journal Title: SilvaWorld - Year 2022, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
A small-scale R&D project, including a block with four plots (P1-4) of 200 m2, was established in 2001 in a 15-year-old sessile oak-dominated stand, regenerated naturally through the application of group shelterwood cutting. In each plot, “potential” final crop trees were selected, based on vigour-quality-distribution criteria, and painted. Silvicultural interventions (cleaning-respacing and thinning), of different types and intensities were performed in P1-3 (P4 was kept as control) as well as P5 (500 m2), established in 2009, in 2001, 2004, and 2009. The mortality intensity between 2001 and 2019 was the highest in P4 and the lowest in P1, with the minimum stand density. Sessile oak showed the highest mortality, followed by Hungarian oak and Turkey oak. The fastest diameter growers were the “potential” final crop trees, their quadratic mean diameter (QMD) reaching values close to 20 cm at 35 (30-40) years in the plots with the lowest stand density. In all plots, trees have reached heights corresponding to the QMD of ca. 15 m, which are typical to a sessile oak stand of high productivity (production class II). The best solution for managing sessile oak young and medium-aged stands seems to be a “dynamic”, crop tree silviculture, with the most valuable individuals selected as “potential” final crop trees at the end of thicket stage. These trees should be favoured by subsequent heavy intensity thinning from above, in order to produce timber with as uniform as possible radial increments of 2-3 mm, as requested by veneer and high-quality saw log buyers.
Authors and Affiliations
Valeriu-Norocel Nicolescu, Diana-Cristina Simon, Alexandru-Mihai Goia & Cornelia Buzatu-Goanta
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP710026
- DOI 10.29329/silva.2022.462.01
- Views 60
- Downloads 0
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Genetic Resources of English Yew (Taxus baccata L.) in Bavaria
For sustainable forest development a stable, functional, and therefore species-rich ecosystem is required to fulfil the diverse functions of forests. Rare tree species contribute substantially to diversity and provided a...
Determination of Some Soil Properties on Penetration Resistance and Consistency Limits
Atterberg limits and penetration resistance are the factors that affect the mechanical behavior of soil. In this study, it was investigated the direct and indirect effect of some soil properties such as particle size dis...
Contributions of Game Theory to Economic and Political Rationality in Forestry
Political and economic decision-making processes take into account the rationality criteria of forests such as productivity, profitability, and economy. While these criteria in developed countries in the sense of forestr...
Flora, Life Forms and Chorotypes of Forest Floor Plants in the Asalem Forests, Western Hyrcanian, Iran
The aim of this research was to introduce the forest floor plants species, their life-forms, and describe their geographic distribution in the Asalem Watershed basin (no.7), Western Guilan province (part of Western Hyrca...
Mortality and Growth in a Sessile Oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.]-Dominated Young Stand Managed through Silvicultural Operations of Different Types and Intensities
A small-scale R&D project, including a block with four plots (P1-4) of 200 m2, was established in 2001 in a 15-year-old sessile oak-dominated stand, regenerated naturally through the application of group shelterwood cutt...