Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and its role in the Czech forests

Abstract

The presented study summarizes the results concerning the effects of cultivation of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) in the Czech Republic. It focuses on more recent results, published especially in the last decades, it includes also older relevant data. It describes the intensity of production as well as non-production forest functions in the conditions of the Czech Republic. It analyses the research results concerning the volume and value production in comparison with native tree species, also documents effects on soil and herb vegetation diversity in forest ecosystems, and from point of view of stability and cultivation in the last period. Main target is defined by the comparison with the Norway spruce, which can be with advantages substituted partly by this species, with favourable impact on amount and value of the timber production, on the forest soil and ground vegetation biodiversity status. Also the stability of forest stands can be supported considerably. This species represents important alternative to the Norway spruce in lower and middle altitudes and it can contribute considerably to the competitiveness of the Czech forestry.

Development of Douglas fir merchantable stem volume model in the conditions of the Czech Republic

“…Due to its resistance to drought, it could be considered an alternative to the more drought-sensitive Norway spruce (Nicolescu et al 2023). The production potential of Douglas fir in lower and mid altitudes is higher than that of other domestic tree species (Kubeček et al 2014;Mondek, Baláš 2019). According to Mauer and Palátová (2012), Douglas fir in the Czech Republic is promising mainly in nutrient-medium sites from hornbeam-oak forests to fir-beech forests.…”

Limitierende Faktoren für den Douglasienanbau in Mitteleuropa im Klimawandel

“…Die aus dem Westen Nordamerikas stammende Douglasie (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb] Franco) wird in zahlreichen europäischen Ländern als eine wichtige alternative Wirtschaftsbaumart angesehen (Spellmann et al 2015, Chakraborty et al 2016, Mondek & Baláš 2019. Sie wurde vor etwa 200 Jahren erstmals nach Europa eingeführt und angebaut.…”