Scots Pine Stem Parameters in Sites with Different Stand Densities in Lithuania

Forests

Benas Šilinskas¹  Iveta Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė¹  Marius Aleinikovas¹  Lina Beniušienė¹  Ričardas Beniušis²  Edmundas Petrauskas³ 

[1] Institute of Forestry, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Liepų str. 1, Girionys, LT-53101 Kaunas District, Lithuania;Lithuanian State Forest Service, Pramonės str., 11A, LT-51327 Kaunas, Lithuania;Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, Studentų str. 11, LT-53361 Akademija, 53101 Kaunas District, Lithuania;

关键词: Pinus sylvestris;    stand density;    trees DBH;    branch diameter;    butt log;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f11070716

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different stand densities and thinning regimes on stem quality parameters, mainly branch characteristics, of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees. The study provides some input to the discussion about Scots pine stem quality responses to different forest management practices in relatively young stands. Materials and Methods: Total tree height, height to the lowest live and dead branch, diameter at breast height (DBH), and diameter of all branches from the whorls located up to 6 m from the ground were measured. The linear regression models to predict branch diameter, as the main parameter for the stem quality assessment, were developed based on stand density and stem parameters. Results and Conclusions: DBH, branch diameter and number of branches up to 6-m stem height were significantly higher in the stands with the lowest density. These stem parameters showed a relatively clear downward trend from the lowest to the highest stand densities. The main identified variables which significantly affected stem quality, were branch diameter and diameter of the thickest branch in the bottom part of the stem, at least up to 3-m stem height. For practical use, the best fitted model was estimated when stand density, DBH, and branch diameter up to 3-m height were included in a single equation. The developed model for branch diameter could be used as a forest management tool for managing stem-wood quality.

【 授权许可】

Unknown