Border effects and size inequality in experimental even-aged stands of poplar clones (Populus)

Abstract

Five poplar clones were studied in short rotation intensively cultured (SRIC) plantations in Belgium (Afsnee) and in France (Orsay). Unrooted cuttings were planted with a single spacing of 0.6 × 0.8 m, using 81 or 25 trees per cultivar (density = 15 625 trees/ha). The height of stems was measured, while the size inequality of each stand was examined with the Gini index (G) and the coefficient of variation (CV). At both sites the G values reflected very high size equality, whereas some border effect was found along the southern side (r9: row 9) of the Afsnee-stands. © 1995 Elsevier/INRA.