Age and diameter classes or growth stages as criteria for the implementation of thinning

Abstract

Suitability of age and diameter classes or growth stages is evaluated with respect to the determination of a boundary between the tending part and yield (commercial) part of thinnings for the most important commercial tree species. The suitability was assessed according to the development of growth and production parameters such as mean height, mean diameter and particularly the proportion of round timber assortments in the stands that should be as low as possible. It resulted from the analysis that growth stages are most suitable and the boundary is between the small pole stage stand with mean diameter 6-12 cm and pole stage stand with mean diameter 13-19 cm.