Changes in tree species composition, stand structure, qualitative and quantitative production of mixed spruce, fir and beech stand on Stará Píla research plot

Abstract

The paper is a contribution to the research on problems of thinnings in mixed (spruce-fir-beech) stands situated in the 5th forest altitudinal zone (beech with fir) in the central part of Slovakia. The research was carried out on two series of permanent research plots established in 1972. Each of the series consists of three partial plots where one plot was tended by free crown thinning in the framework of whole-area tending. On the second plot a non-whole-area tending was realised while the third ones were left without planned silvicultural treatment as controls. Dynamic changes in tree species composition, stand structure, qualitative and quantitative production including silvicultural analysis of seven thinning interventions were evaluated for a period of 29 years. A special attention was paid to development of future crop trees which are the main bearers of stand quality and quantity. The changes were compared with respect to differences between the plots with whole-area and non-whole-area long-term silvicultural treatment and the control plot (without treatments).

Keywords

• thinnings
• stand structure
• crop trees
• mixed stands
• spruce - fir - beech