Abstract
Studies were carried for 200 trees coming from eight pure pine stands aged 25–95 years, growing in a fresh mixed coniferous forest habitat, in the Murowana Goślina Forest Experimental Station (52°34′ N, 17°00′ E) in western Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the size of the assimilatory apparatus of single pines (Pinus sylvestris L.): weight of leaved twigs (ugc), needle weight (ic), the volume of leaved twigs (ugo) and needle volume (io) and its relationship with selected dendrometric and increment traits of trees. The basic dendrometric traits were determined (height—h and diameter at breast height—d1.3) together with selected increments (heights—Ih5 and Ih10, diameter at breast height—Id5 and Id10, basal area at breast height—Ig5 and Ig10, volume—Iv5 and Iv10). A statistically significant linear correlation and a multiple linear correlation were shown between analysed traits, which confirms a strong relationship of the size of the assimilatory apparatus with tree increment. In this context, the strong correlation with the increment in basal area at breast height (correlation coefficient 0.8731 ÷ 0.9836) and with the increment in diameter at breast height (correlation coefficient 0.7835 ÷ 0.9581), after determining the increment in diameter at breast height requires only simple mathematical transformations to determine the increment in basal area at breast height. For the above-mentioned reasons, the increment in basal area at breast height is predisposed to be commonly used in the determination of the efficiency of the assimilatory apparatus of trees.
Highlights
The size of the assimilatory apparatus in trees may be characterised using different indicators, from the simplest, but at the same time less accurate dimensional traits of the crown, such as crown projection area and crown volume, to more accurate quantitative traits, e.g., weight of leaved twigs, needle weight, volume of leaved wigs and needle volume [1].The size of the assimilatory apparatus of the crown and its efficiency in the process of organic matter production has a primary effect on tree increment
The aim of the study was to determine the size of the assimilatory apparatus of single pines: weight of leaved twigs, needle weight, the volume of leaved twigs and needle volume, and its relationship with selected dendrometric and increment traits of trees
Pearson’s linear and multiple correlation and the corresponding significance levels were determined between the features of the assimilation apparatus (weight of leaved twigs, needle weight, the volume of leaved twigs, needle volume) and the basic dendrometric traits and with selected increments
Summary
The size of the assimilatory apparatus in trees may be characterised using different indicators, from the simplest, but at the same time less accurate dimensional traits of the crown, such as crown projection area and crown volume, to more accurate quantitative traits, e.g., weight of leaved twigs, needle weight, volume of leaved wigs and needle volume [1].The size of the assimilatory apparatus of the crown and its efficiency in the process of organic matter production has a primary effect on tree increment. Lemke [2] stated a very strong correlation between the size of the assimilatory apparatus in pines and an increment in stem volume. This conclusion is essential for the rationalisation of decisions taken in forest economy, breeding, forest management and utilisation. It is an indication for the practical application of such procedures, which by maintaining an optimal stand structure, taking into consideration the efficiency of the assimilatory apparatus—results in the maximum increment in tree volume. The size of tree crowns is an element in the forecast of the increment capacity of trees and stands [3]
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