ZLV Online

Abstract

Seedlings of beech being grown on exposed beds in nurseries are sometimes used for planting under shelter or for planting on a partially shaded site. On the other hand, the seedlings grown on shielded beds can be also planted in the open clear-cut. Therefore, we need to know time and way the plants are able to adapt to this changed light conditions. Two-year-old seedlings grown both on sun-exposed and sheltered-bed were planted. Both types of the planting stock were planted on open-space, site nearby mature trees (side cover) or under mature sparse stand. Seedlings grown as unshielded were significantly higher exhibiting a greater diameter of the root collar compared to seedlings grown on the sheltered bed. During the 4 years of investigation, the greatest height growth was observed in the side-sheltered beeches in clear-cut nearby the mature stand. The sheltered seedlings were significantly shorter. Diameter increment of beech seedlings decreased as they were less exposed to sunlight. It can be concluded that particular site conditions are more important for the juvenile beech performance compared to pre-planting conditions in nursery.