Effects of selection thinning on beech tree and stand increment on Mt. Juzni Kucaj

Abstract

The effects of selection thinning and spontaneous development on beech tree and stand increment were researched in the period 1986-2002. The results show the complexity of the effect of thinning on tree and stand increment. Based on the comparison of growth elements in 2002 and growth elements in 1985 before thinning, the greatest increase of total basal area (173%) and volume (269%) occurred on the control area, where 94% of trees recorded in 1985 showed increment. The lowest increase of basal area (111%) and volume (170%) occurred on the sample plot, which was thinned two times during the study period. As for the future trees, i.e. the collection of trees for comparison on the control plot, the lowest increment of basal area (198%) and volume (278%) occurred on the control plot, and a far greater increase of basal area (256% and 263%) and volume (379% and 399%) occurred on the thinned plots.