Growth and characteristics of old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees individually dispersed in spruce monocultures--

Abstract

ABSTRACT:We studied old beech trees individually dispersed in spruce monocultures after having found wildlings in their vicinity. The goal was to define stem and crown dimensions of the trees in dependence on their position in the primary spruce stand and to find out what kind of development they went through before reaching the current condition. We made an inventory of 883 trees in about 800 ha of stands growing in the fir-beech forest altitudinal zone (FAZ). A detailed biometric analysis conducted on two research plots of a total area 19 ha included 110 trees. Their age is 140-180 years as indicated by the analysis of annual rings. Thus, they grow in the second generation of the spruce stand. The fact gives them an absolute competitive advantage, which can be documented by their size (dbh = 49-93 cm as compared with the spruce = 15-66 cm, crown width 8-17 m as compared with the spruce = 1-10 m) as well as by the relation of their disposable (A DISP ) and social (A SOC ) areas to the size of horizontal crown projection. Regarding the size, the good condition of the crown and the expected recurrent fructification, we can consider these trees suitable for use in the systematic conversion of spruce monocultures into mixed forests for a long time.

Density and spatial distribution of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) regeneration in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) stands in the central part of the Czech Republic

“…Few data exist, however, on the use of forest succession elements for management purposes. Remnants of adult individuals and groups of native species, primarily broadleaves (e.g., oak, beech and maple) and/or conifers (such as fir), admixed in pure secondary coniferous stands, can be found both in Europe (Karlsson 2001, Ganz 2004, Kunstler et al 2004, Stimm & Knoke 2004, Dobrovolný & Tesar 2010a, 2010b and in other parts of the world (Hewitt & Kellman 2002a, 2002b. Their potential for spontaneous reproduction differs depending on climatic, site and stand conditions, as well as the silvicultural strategy.…”

“…While Küßner (1997) in the eastern part of the Ore Mts. (Germany) and Diaci (2002) in the Slovenian Alps reported a slow succession of climax woody plants in spruce plantations due to the low number of fruiting individuals within populations, Dobrovolný & Tesar (2010a, 2010b recorded an expansion of beech under the shelter of spruce stands in the Czech Republic and in the central Saxon part of the Ore Mts. (Germany).…”

Crowns of "forgotten" standards in hardwood floodplain forests

“…The crown areas of beech reserve trees have been found to vary from 51 to 216 m 2 (DBH: 43-93 cm) (Dobrovolný, Tesař 2010), and from 202 to 356 m 2 (DBH: 84-95 cm) (Vanck, Spiecker 2004). Thus the veteran standards in a hardwood floodplain forest form some of the biggest crowns, and are then likely to play a crucial role in forming a spatial structure in these forests.…”

“…Crown changes in response to competitive pressure by its neighbour trees were analysed in conifers (Spathelf 2003). There are, however, very few studies focused on the crowns of deciduous standards dispersed in stands, and they mostly concentrate on beech (Fagus sylvatica Linnaeus) (Vanck, Spiecker 2004;Dobrovolný, Tesař 2010).…”

“…This area corresponds to the total crown projection of standards. Crown projections of standards were calculated only in a few studies (Cotta 1865;Vanck, Spiecker 2004;Dobrovolný, Tesař 2010), and the proposed number of standards in coppice-with-standards varies widely from several individuals to hundreds of trees (Hochbichler 1993;Konvička et al 2004;Coppini, Hermanin 2007;Kadavý et al 2011) without any spatially specific studies.…”