ZLV Online

Abstract

Wild cherry (Prunus avium (L.) L.) is a valuable tree species that does not require a long rotation to provide merchantable wood. Wild cherry is a fast-growing pioneer tree species suitable for agricultural land afforestation. To prevent cherry trees from stem sprouting, the growing in mixed stands is recommended. Three experimental plots were established to investigate performance of cherry in intimate line mixtures with tree species such as European larch, Norway spruce, grand fir, small-leaved linden, black alder, European beech and sycamore maple. Prior to afforestation, all sites had been used as meadows. In 13-year-old stand on north-facing slope, mean height of larch exceeded the cherry’s height by 3.9 m, grand fir by 1.6 m and spruce by 3.7 m. On a south-east facing site in the 10th year after planting both ash and linden were shorter by 1.9 m and 1 m respectively, compared to cherry. Spruce was slightly 0.2 m higher than cherry. As for the youngest plot, cherry was overgrown by alder in the 3rd year; the difference amounted to 1.8 m, while both beech and sycamore maple do not keep up with cherry; mean cherry’s height exceeded them by 0.3 m and 0.6 m respectively. The cherry mortality was 2% (south aspect, Osečnice), 5% (north aspect, Bystré II) and 16% (south-east aspect, Uhřínov) in 5-year-old established plantations. The most promising mixture is wild cherry with small-leaved linden.