Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different stand densities and thinning regimes on stem quality parameters, mainly branch characteristics, of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees. The study provides some input to the discussion about Scots pine stem quality responses to different forest management practices in relatively young stands. Materials and Methods: Total tree height, height to the lowest live and dead branch, diameter at breast height (DBH), and diameter of all branches from the whorls located up to 6 m from the ground were measured. The linear regression models to predict branch diameter, as the main parameter for the stem quality assessment, were developed based on stand density and stem parameters. Results and Conclusions: DBH, branch diameter and number of branches up to 6-m stem height were significantly higher in the stands with the lowest density. These stem parameters showed a relatively clear downward trend from the lowest to the highest stand densities. The main identified variables which significantly affected stem quality, were branch diameter and diameter of the thickest branch in the bottom part of the stem, at least up to 3-m stem height. For practical use, the best fitted model was estimated when stand density, DBH, and branch diameter up to 3-m height were included in a single equation. The developed model for branch diameter could be used as a forest management tool for managing stem-wood quality.
Highlights
Despite different silvicultural alternatives used in order to guarantee stand sustainability and various aspects of ecosystem services [1,2,3,4], the growth of potentially valuable trees with high-quality stemwood remains one of the main objectives of traditional forest management
When the effects of different treatments, involving stand densities (SD) of 600, 1000–1200, 2000–2400, 3000–4400, and 5400–8100 trees ha−1 and thinning regimes, on the main stem quality parameters were compared, no statistically significant (p > 0.05) effect was found on mean tree height (H) (Table 2)
We found no effect of different stand density (SD) and thinning regimes on the mean tree height (H), but all studied treatments had a significant effect on tree diameter at breast height (DBH)
Summary
Despite different silvicultural alternatives used in order to guarantee stand sustainability and various aspects of ecosystem services [1,2,3,4], the growth of potentially valuable trees with high-quality stemwood remains one of the main objectives of traditional forest management. A combination of the appropriate environmental conditions and optimal harvesting regime is an important option for achieving increased forest stand productivity and improving stem quality. Thinning accelerates diameter growth and improves stand composition. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different stand densities and thinning regimes on stem quality parameters, mainly branch characteristics, of. The study provides some input to the discussion about Scots pine stem quality responses to different forest management practices in relatively young stands
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