The Response of Basal Area Increment in Old Sprout-origin Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) Trees During Their Conversion to a Coppice-with-standards

Abstract

Tree responses were monitored using precise girth measurements. During the fi rst year a er the release, the basal area increment showed a positive correlation with only the tree diameter. During the second and third year, the basal area increment was also correlated with the release intensity. During the third year, the basal area increment was explained by the tree diameter, the crown shape, and the release intensity as well as individual types of epicormic shoot occurrence. The occurrence of epicormic shoots in the lower part of the trunks and umbel-shaped crowns increased the basal area increment. In the fi rst, second and third year a er thinning, the model explained 11.79%, 11.25% and 28.99%, respectively, of the basal area increment variability. Adult trees of sprout origin responded to a strong release very early (within two years) a er felling.