Development of artificially established spruce stand at the site of mountain beech after intensive selection thinning

Abstract

The effects of selection thinning were analyzed at a permanent sample plot in the artificially established spruce stand aged 32 years, on the site of mountain beech. The state in the 32-year-old stand was as follows: 3911 trees per ha, basal area 57.5 m2ha-1 and volume 378.3 m3ha-1. Selection thinning removed 1378 tree per ha (35.2%) and 110 m3ha-1 (29.2%), and in the period between the ages of 32 and 40 years, predominantly because of mortality, another 550 trees per ha and 21.8 m3ha-1. On the remaining trees during the period between the ages of 32 and 40 years, basal area increased by 33%, and volume by 67%. Current volume increment was 20.7 m3ha-1 and it was concentrated on the future trees (28% of the total number of trees produces 52% of volume increment). The disproportion in the intensity of diameter and height increment after the thinning resulted in the increase of form quotient.