Gross value yield potential of coppice, high forest and model conversion of high forest to coppice on best sites

Abstract

Based on yield tables for oak high forest and oak coppice (both first site class) and using assortment tables and assortment prices in the Czech Republic in 2009, a set of variants of conversion of high forest to coppice was simulated. Average annual cut and average gross value of annual cut of such conversions were compared with those of well-established (in terms of the age structure balance) variants of coppice and high forest. Under the existing ratio of assortment prices, established coppice does not reach the gross value yield of high forest. No variant of simulated conversions was more financially profitable than the initial high forest. Furthermore, we found out that a +16.8% increase of the current fuel wood price would counterbalance the mean annual increment of gross value of the best coppice and the worst oak high forest variant. On the other hand, a +164.7% fuel wood price increase would be necessary to counterbalance the mean annual increment of gross value of the worst coppice and the best high forest variants.