Stem decay by Stereum sanguinolentum after red deer damage n the Českomoravská vrchovina Highlands

Abstract

Damage caused by bark peeling and browsing by red deer to <I>Picea abies</I> was investigated in two localities in the Českomoravská vrchovina Highlands. 127 experimental plots of 50 × 50 m in size were monitored in stands aged from 15 to 93 years. In total, 44% of 16,700 inspected trees were damaged by bark peeling and browsing. The area of gaping wounds varied from 50 to 1,650 cm<sup>2</sup>. Stem decay affected 68% of the damaged trees. Some properties of the decay were analysed from 200 sample trees felled on the plots. Bark peeling damage occurred when the trees were 4 to 48 years old. Decayed wood accounted for 22–70% (mean 42%) of the merchantable stem volume of sample trees. The mean rate of the vertical decay spread was 17.4 cm per year (ranging from 4–63 cm per year). Mean decay volume correlated positively and mean spreading rate correlated negatively with the time elapsed from the bark peeling damage occurrence.