Growth pattern analysis by stem analysis of Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis) in the central northern region of Korea

Abstract

The study was performed to find the growth pattern by stem analysis of Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis) in the Central Northern Region of Korea. One standard tree from each of 16 sites was stemmed and analyzed for the study. For sampled trees, the age range was 16–77 years, diameter at breast height (DBH) was 15.8–44.4 cm, height was 9.3–24.0 m, and stem volume was 0.1002–1.8518 m3. The stem volumes by our study had higher values over 40 DBH compared to Korea Forest Research Institute measurements. The bark volume had no particular trend with DBH and height, while bark ratio tended to decrease with DBH and height. The DBH and height curves by age had a concave shape whereas volume curve had a convex shape. The average periodic annual increment (PAI) of DBH was the highest at age 15 (1.0 cm/yr), and the highest value of the mean annual increment (MAI) of DBH was 0.7 cm/yr at age 30. The highest values of PAI and MAI of height were 0.6 m/yr (age 15) and 0.5 m/year (age 25) respectively. The average PAI and MAI of volume continued to increase even after age 75. Growth percentages of DBH, height and volume tended to decrease with age, particularly rapidly at age 20–30. Volume growth percentage was much higher than diameter and height.