Damage and Tolerability Thresholds for Remaining Trees after Timber Harvesting: A Case Study from Southwest Romania

Ilie-Cosmin Cântar,Cătălin-Ionel Ciontu,Gheorghe Florian Borlea,Lucian Dincă,Vlad Emil Crişan

doi:10.3390/d14030193

Ilie-Cosmin Cântar, Cătălin-Ionel Ciontu + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030193

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Abstract

The present study analyses the damage of remaining trees after timber harvesting from 24 logging sites from southwest Romania. The purpose was to establish tolerability thresholds within which damaged trees recover in a short amount of time, reducing the possibility of further rot apparition and tree health deterioration. Observations were resumed after the growing season had passed. Healed damage was analysed in regard to damage type, width, orientation and tree circumference. By using the ratio between the width of healed damage and the circumference of trees as experimental variants, equations were elaborated to determine the tolerance threshold of trees in logging. This is expressed as a maximum value between the damage width and the damaged tree circumference for which the damage is curable. The correlation between the circumference and the abovementioned relation was analysed, and differences between the values of the analysed relation for different cardinal orientations of the damage were statistically tested. The value of this ratio, which can be considered a tolerance threshold for trees in logging, records values of 0.09 (for thinnings, for cuttings to increase the light availability for regeneration and for final cuttings from shelterwood systems) and 0.10 (for first-intervention cuttings, as well as preparatory and seed cutting from shelterwood systems or selections systems).

Highlights

IntroductionTimber extraction from forests must be realized in profitable economic conditions, with expenses accepted by society at a given moment
The present study analyses the damage of remaining trees after timber harvesting from 24 logging sites from southwest Romania
The correlation between the circumference and the abovementioned relation was analysed, and differences between the values of the analysed relation for different cardinal orientations of the damage were statistically tested. The value of this ratio, which can be considered a tolerance threshold for trees in logging, records values of 0.09 and 0.10

Summary

Introduction

Timber extraction from forests must be realized in profitable economic conditions, with expenses accepted by society at a given moment. This means using machines with a high productivity while remaining in compliance with the objectives of sustainable forest management. Logs are usually extracted from the forest site to the landing areas by machines on skid trails [6]. As they are moved, these transported loads harm the abovementioned components of forest ecosystems, especially trees, in which case injury can lead to death. Wound area and the ratio of the maximum wound’s width-to-tree circumference at breast height, as well as the percentage of dead crown and the growth rate, have been tested as variables in some models that determine tree mortality risks [11]

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