Effects of precommercial thinning on growth parameters in Pinus nigra Arn.subsp.pallasiana(Lamb.)Holmboe stand

We investigated the effects of precommercial thinning(PCT)applied at different levels on the growth parameters of natural Anatolian black pine stand.The experimental site was located in the province of Isparta in southern Turkey.PCT was set up using a randomized complete block design with three replicates and three treatments(control,2–2.5 m×–2.5 m and 3–3.5 m×–3.5 m spacing).The experimental plots were established in March 2014.At the end of the growing seasons for three years(2014–2016),growth parameters such as diameter,height and crown radius were measured.PCT was found to be significantly effective on diameter,height,individual tree basal area,and crown radius increment at the end of the third year(p<0.05).While diameter,individual tree basal area and crown radius increment increased with increasing PCT intensity,height increment was higher in control than PCT.Although the PCT treatments applied with 3–3.5 m spacing affected individual tree development positively,we need long-term results on wood quality and yield.According to the short-term results,it is thought that it is better to lower the stand closeness gradually,so,it may be advisable to apply PCT by 2–2.5 m×–2.5 m spacing.

Effects of precommercial thinning intensity on growth of Fagus orientalis Lipsky stands over 6 years

Determining the most suitable intensities for precommercial thinning (PCT) in oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) stands, which cover substantial areas in Turkey and have a high economic and ecological value, is essential to provide higher economic return and obtain well-formed stems. The effects of various rates of PCT interventions on the growth characteristics of natural stands, located in the northern part of Turkey, were explored to determine appropriate thinning rates;24 experimental PCT plots (4 PCT rates × 3 replications × 2 sites) were established in young thicket-stage stands and four precommercial thinning rates such as light (1 – 1.5 m spacing), moderate (1.5−2.0 m spacing) and heavy (2.5–3.0 m spacing) thinning, including a control plot (i.e., untreated), were applied. At the end of the 2007 and 2010 growing seasons, the diameter and height of the trees were measured and growth analyzed based on the 3-year and 6-year incremental growth. PCT levels were found to have significant (P < 0.05) effects on diameter, height, total basal area and total volume increment at the end of each period. The mean diameter and height increment proportionally increased with increasing PCT intensity in the third and the sixth year. In both sites, the moderate PCT provided the greatest total basal area and total volume increment. The early results indicate that the moderate PCT (1.5–2 m spacing) boosted stand development over time.

An integrated assessment approach to optimal forest bioenergy production for young Scots pine stands

Background: Bioenergy is re-shaping opportunities and imperatives of forest management. This study demonstrates,through a case study in Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.), how forest bioenergy policies affect stand management strategies.Methods: Optimization studies were examined for 15 Scots pine stands of different initial stand densities, site types, and temperature sum regions in Finland. Stand development was model ed using the Pipe Qual stand simulator coupled with the simulation-optimization tool Opti For Bioenergy to assess three forest bioenergy policies on energy wood harvest from early thinnings.Results: The optimal solutions maximizing bare land value indicate that conventional forest management regimes remain optimal for sparse stands. Energy harvests occurred only when profitable, led to lower financial returns. A forest bioenergy policy which included compulsory energy wood harvesting was optimal for denser stands. At a higher interest rate(4 %), increasing energy wood price postponed energy wood harvesting. In addition, our results show that early thinning somewhat reduced wood quality for stands in fertile sites. For less fertile sites, the changes were insignificant.Conclusions: A constraint of profitable energy wood harvest is not rational. It is optimal to carry out the first thinning with a flexible forest bioenergy policy depending on stand density.