Spring phenology of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in a submountain beech stand with different stocking in 1995-2004

Abstract

Two spring phenophases (bud-burst and leaf unfolding) of a parent stand and naturally regenerated undergrowth of European beech were observed in conditions under different stand density over the last 10 years. The results proved the unequal onset of phenophases of the parent stand individuals in relation to their sociological status. In the case of codominant and dominant trees the delay of 2-5 days was observed in comparison with subdominant trees. The influence of the parent stand structure on the onset of the undergrowth phenophases was also observed. The onset of phenophases differed by 2-20 days among individuals grown under different density of the parent stand. The onset and course of phenophases also differed between the years. The trend of the average onset of leafing in the period 1995-2004 shows a shift to earlier dates by about three days. Temperature summation of average daily temperatures with the base temperature of 8°C, in the framework of the model predicted bud-burst of beech, showed the lowest variability in comparison with other temperatures.

Keywords

• fagus sylvatica
• phenology
• bud-burst
• leafing
• temperature sum