Simulation of Tree Growth with the Pinogram and Treearch Programmes

Abstract

In silviculture, growth potential and conditions necessary for establishment and growth need to be known in order to forecast the behaviour of trees under different circumstances. In forests an infinite number of situations is found, and each has its own effect on the growth potential of trees. In order to forecast tree growth and development, models need to be created for different purposes and at different hierarchical levels. This paper discusses a model at stand level and a model at tree level. The first (the PINOGRAM model) simulates growth, competition and appearance of individual Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) in monoculture as influenced by different planting and thinning regimes. The second simulates the branch pattern of Scots pine and poplar (Populus canadensis 'Robusta') at different ages on different sites. Both species were 20 yr old and the data were from sites in the Netherlands