Comparative productivity of artificial and natural forest stands in the belt pine forests of Altay

Abstract

Using the indicator of the initial density G:H, tables of the growth course of natural and artificial self-tinning pine stands growing in conditions such as dry pine forest of gentle hills type were compiled. It was found that the productivity of self-thinning artificial stands is higher than natural ones only up to III-IV age classes, after which their productivity is equal or less than the productivity on natural stands. The most productive artificial stands are those with average density, however, the largest average diameter is possessed by rare tree stands. In the artificial pine forests in the belt pine stands of the Altai Territory, it is necessary to carry out thinning in a timely manner by using a grass-root method. This will get rid of oppressed trees and increase the growth of trees in diameter, that in turn will increase the yield of commercial timber at the ripeness age.