The growth and production of some fast growing deciduous tree species stands on abandoned agricultural land

Abstract

Mõningate kiirekasvuliste lehtpuupuistute kasv ja produktsioonivõime endisel põllumaal Several studies about stands growing on abandoned agricultural lands are induced by extensive afforestation of agricultural lands and more intensive use of biomass. Overview of above-ground biomass production of grey alder, hybrid alder and silver birch young stands growing on former agricultural areas are presented in current paper. The results of 16- and 6-year period of alders and silver birch stands, respectively, are reported. Above-ground biomass and biomass production of stands were estimated. The growing stock and current annual increment (CAI) of 16-years-old grey alder stand were 250 m3 ha-1 and 35.6 m3 ha-1, respectively. Due to fast growth and high biomass production capacity grey alder is promising tree species for short-rotation forestry in Estonia. Hybrid alder is productive tree although not exceeding the productivity of grey alders. Stem volume and CAI of the 16-years-old hybrid alder stand were 155 m3 ha-1 and 21 m3 ha-1, respectively. Our results supported earlier data reported in literature: rotation period of hybrid alder is longer than for grey alder and CAI of hybrid alder stands culminate later. The productivity of young silver birch stands on abandoned agricultural land is varying in a broad range. One young silver birch stand growing on abandoned agricultural land was involved into study. Growing stock and CAI in 13-years old stand were 118 m3 ha-1 and 15 m3 ha-1, respectively. These values are exceeding respective values of several yield tables of silver birch and biomass production capability of silver birch stands in favourable conditions is high.