Relationship between stand density and value of timber assortments: a case study for Scots pine stands in north-western Poland

Abstract

Background: Stand density changes during forest growth. Various types and intensities of thinning operations can be applied in order to improve the volume of the remaining trees. It is not clear whether or not thinning results in better total volume increment although timber value is usually higher when thicker logs are obtained from trees. The objective of this study was to determine if Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands of lower density would produce timber of a higher value than stands with a higher density and thinner trees. Methods: The research was carried out on 20 experimental plots in 81-90-year-old Scots pine stands, located in northwestern Poland. The data obtained were used to simulate the logging of the trees into either 2.5-m logs or tree tops, which were classified into five quality classes of timber. The volume of each assortment was calculated, based on its dimensions, and the value in EUR was calculated. Results: It was found that the correlation between stand density and the total value of the wood was very weak and not statistically significant. However, taking each assortment separately, the values of sawmill wood, pulpwood and energy wood were significantly correlated with stand density. Conclusions: It was concluded that lower densities were more profitable for sawmill wood production, while higher densities might be more beneficial in biomass production.

Impact of Stand Density and Tree Social Status on Aboveground Biomass Allocation of Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris L.

“…This was studied previously by Eriksson [38], who showed that a dense, unthinned regime for Scots pine was preferable if the objective was to maximize the standing biomass and carbon pool. This was also confirmed by Węgie et al [39], who reported that lower stand densities were more beneficial for sawmill wood production, while higher densities might be more beneficial for pulpwood and energy wood, total biomass production, and carbon sequestration.…”

Aboveground Carbon Content and Storage in Mature Scots Pine Stands of Different Densities

“…The same stands have already been used in a study on the value of timber assortments [39]. All stands were characterized by shared attributes: single-layer, single-species, even-aged 81-90-year-old stands, flat terrain (without hills or pits), same soil type (Carbic Podzol), not damaged or deformed, without any gaps or undergrowth, and with forest floor plants typical to this habitat type (not grass-covered).…”

“…Distribution of sample plots in the south-eastern part of the Drawno Forest District. The same map was used in a previous paper concerning the value of timber assortments, which concerned the same stands: after[39].…”

The Influence of Stand Density and Species Diversity Into Timber Production and Carbon Stock in Community Forest

“…Many studies confirm that stand density and species diversity are two indicators of stand characteristics that strongly relate to timber production and carbon stock in the forest (Moore, Limited, Cown, Mckinley, & Sabatia, 2015;Uhl et al, 2015;Wegiel, Bembenek, Lacka, & Mederski, 2018). In general, stand density is defined as a degree of trees crowding per unit area, which is commonly determined based on the growth dimension or growing space ratio (Zeide, 2001;Lu, Zhang, Zhang, Duan, & Zhang, 2018;Padilla-Martínez, Corral-Rivas, Briseño-Reyes, Paul, López-Serrano, & Gadow, 2020).…”