ZLV Online

Abstract

Two-stage forest regeneration using preparatory stands presents potentially suitable way of an introduction of silver fir (Abies alba) in largescaled clear-cut areas of calamity origin. The objective of this study was the verification of four-year-old fir underplanting reactions at nutrient rich site to the preparatory stands environment featuring three pioneering species of various stocking density (5, 7, 10) compared with plantings in small area clearing (0.1 ha). The fir mortalities were low both in all stand treatments and in the clearing. The fir height and root diameter increments under birches declined with higher stocking density. Under rowan, the highest increments occurred under preparatory stand with stocking density of 7. Minimal fir increment reactions to the various stocking density of the preparatory stands were observed under alder trees. The development of the crown width mostly correlated with the fir height. Development of the needle lengths, depending on the stocking density of preparatory stands, differed under birches from rowan shelter, while there were no differences in this parameter under alder treatments. The research showed that in present conditions fir plantings in small area clearings or under about 15-year-old preparatory birch stands, having stocking density reduced to one half, can be recommended from fir prosperity perspective.