Development of target (crop) trees in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand with delayed initial tending and managed by different thinning methods

Abstract

We evaluated the research on silviculture-production in the last 45 years in a 105-year-old beech stand, not tended up to its stand age of 60 years. Four alternatives (tending regime) were studied for development of the target (crop) trees. These were: (i) plot with heavy thinning from below (C degree according to the German Forest Research Institutes from 1902), (ii) plot with free crown thinning (thinning interval of 5 years), (iii) plot with free crown thinning (thinning interval of 10 years), and (iv) control plot (with no thinning). Target trees in the stand were selected and marked at the beginning of the study. Their development was analysed in relation to the method of tending. Based on the 45-year research period, we conclude that the most favourable results were obtained on plots tended by free crown thinning (thinning interval of 5 or 10 years) in comparison with plots tended by heavy thinning from below or with the control plot (without any tending).