Abstract

The research aims to determine the quantity and quality of Norway spruce and silver fir seed stands in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to recommend measures for their improvement to produce the highest quality reproduction material and achieve genetic gain in newly planted forests. For this research, four measured and 19 observed phenotypic traits were analyzed in 11 Norway spruce and 14 silver fir seed stands. The average age of the trees in Norway spruce seed stands was 70 years, and in silver fir stands 85 years. The average diameter of trees in Norway spruce seed stands was 49 cm, and 46 cm for silver fir. The average height of trees for both species was 26 m. In all seed stands of both species, there was a sufficient number of favorably shaped and straight trees. There was a small incidence of forkness and a high incidence of thin and medium-thick branches. The number of branches in the whorl was high in the seed stands of both species. There was a large number of trees growing poorly and trees with poor trunk clearance from dead branches. A small number of damaged trees in seed stands were also registered, and a low percentage of trees with moderate twisting. The appearance of mistletoe was registered in silver fir seed stands. Some of the analyzed seed stands have shown very good quality, and individual selection should be made in them. In some of the analyzed stands, activities of arrangement and removal of part of the trees are necessary. Considering the great ecological-vegetation diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with four ecological-vegetation regions, 14 areas and 20 districts, most of which are also represented in the Federation of BiH, a higher number of seed stands is needed. When selecting new seed stands for spruce and fir, the focus should be on small stands that grow in extreme conditions.

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