Long-term tending effect on static stability of pure beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands

Abstract

The production stability together with the provision of required functions are the key requirements for the future existence of stable forest stands. Sufficient mechanic stand stability could be developed by the early and long-term thinning where basic tree characteristics, such as stem and crown parameters play the decisive role. We compared selected parameters of static stability in pure beech stands, which have been exposed to heavy low thinning and free-crown thinning with control stands without interventions. Data from twenty-seven long-term research subplots at eight localities across Slovakia were involved in this study. In total 7 693 trees between 30 and 110 years were analysed. Slenderness (h/d ratio), crown length, crown width and crown ratio proved to be the most explanatory parameters for the defining mechanical stability on subplots with free-crown thinning. We found the least favourable results on control subplots. The differences between the subplots with tending (regardless of the tending method) and the control subplots were statistically significant in all studied parameters (P < 0.05).