Abstract
Abstract Oak (Quercus robur L.) forest stands are among the most common forest formations in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. Investigations of the patterns of distribution of trees by diameter and the dynamics of the commodity structure of mature oak stands of coppice origin were carried out based on the forest survey data from 28 temporary sample plots, on the sites designated for the final felling in the Left-Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine (Sumy, Kharkiv, and Poltava Regions). We distributed trees by diameter classes and technical suitability categories. To establish the commodity structure of the stand, we selected model trees that corresponded to the average size of trees in terms of diameter classes and their qualitative characteristics. Then, we constructed a model tree stem profile using Institute of Forest Ecosystems Research (IFER)’s method of “6 points”. Based on stands’ structure and quality condition as well as on the growth tables, the commodity structure dynamics table for the changes in the commodity structure for the coppice oak stands in the Left-Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine has been developed. The results of the analysis of wood stock dynamics showed that the maximum average increment of class A and B wood is 90–100 years. Therefore, the age of technical maturity and the associated age for the final felling in commercial oak forests of second site class and above should be assigned to 91–100 years.
Highlights
Pedunculate or English oak (Quercus robur L.) is widespread in Europe (Eaton et al 2016), and its stands provide important environmental and economic services
On the sample plots we investigated the patterns of distribution of trees by diameter and the dynamics of the commodity structure of mature oak stands of coppice origin
Considering the quality deterioration of coppice oak timber aged over 90 years, the percentage of marketable stems in the 80–140 age range was determined by the formula, obtained on the base of data on Fig. 2: proportion of marketable stems (Pmark) = −114.9 + 3.208·A – 0.0147∙A2 (R2 = 0.59)
Summary
Pedunculate or English oak (Quercus robur L.) is widespread in Europe (Eaton et al 2016), and its stands provide important environmental and economic services. Oak-dominated forests occupy about 28% of the total forest area and 24% of gross living stock in Ukraine (Forestry of Ukraine 2017). In the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine, oak forest stands are among the most common forest formations in the forest-typological area of fresh temperate climate (Ostapenko & Tkach 2002) (Fig. 1). The forests of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe are represented mainly by the stands of common oak, which occupy 46.4%. The area of natural oak stands is more than 280 thousand hectares (46% of oak forests total area of the study region), the share of natural seed origin stands is only 7.0%, the rest – stands of coppice origin. The largest share of oak stands of the Left Bank Forest
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