ZLV Online

Abstract

The article deals with prosperity of Norway spruce, mountain pine, silver birch, Carpathian birch and rowan which were planted into allochtonous mountain pine stand situated under climatically-extreme site conditions, Jizerka valley (860 m above sea level, Northern Bohemia). The study is based on 5-year lasting investigation. The aim of the study is to test tree species which were used to substitute both mountain and bog pines dominating the stand presented on site (height of pine stand was 1.6 m – 2.0 m); the new species are expected better to provide demanded ecological and/or economical services of forest. Research includes also monitoring of growing conditions, chiefly frost-induced stress which affects juvenile-stage trees. The experiment addresses a research question: does shelter of the older-pine stand help new plantations to cope with harsh environment? Among new species, mountain pine shows the lowest mortality rate (11%) followed by rowan and spruce (both 16%), and Carpathian birch (27%). The silver birch shows the highest mortality rate (47%) so that this species does not seem to be an appropriate species for a purpose of conversion. All tested species showed more intensive height growth of individuals planted into the canopy of shrubby pines, whereas the individuals placed in gaps showed the slowest growth.