Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2023.1748
Growth and Timber Quality of European Larch Planted in Areas Reclaimed After Coal Mining in Central Poland
Marek Pająk
; University of Agriculture in Krakow Faculty of Forestry al. 29 Listopada 46 31-425 Kraków POLAND
Krzysztof Michalec
; University of Agriculture in Krakow Faculty of Forestry al. 29 Listopada 46 31-425 Kraków POLAND
Radosław Wąsik
; University of Agriculture in Krakow Faculty of Forestry al. 29 Listopada 46 31-425 Kraków POLAND
Otmar Urban
; Global Change Research Institute Bělidla 986/4a 603 00 Brno CZECH REPUBLIC
Marcin Pietrzykowski
; University of Agriculture in Krakow Faculty of Forestry al. 29 Listopada 46 31-425 Kraków POLAND
Abstract
Understanding the impact of reclamation measures on the quality of timber produced in post-mining areas is crucial for the proper establishment of future forest cultures on such sites. We studied European larch trees (Larix decidua Mill.) grown since 1981 on the external dump of a brown coal mine in Bełchatów (Central Poland). In particular, the effects of stand admixture and the intensity of mineral fertilization, applied in the initial phase of tree growth, on the increments and quality of larch wood were evaluated. Total tree height and stem diameter of 4-meter sections were measured. Qualitative timber classification took into account the share of wood defects, which excluded the timber from a higher quality-dimensional class. Larch trees grown in a monoculture had a better quality of wood compared to larch grown mixed with other species. Fertilization, applied in the initial afforestation period, had only a limited effect on the growth of larch trees. Curvature and knots determined timber quality most significantly. While knots had a decisive importance in larch growing in the monoculture stands, curvature determined wood quality in the admixed larch stands.
Keywords
wood defects, fertilization, monoculture, mixed stand
Hrčak ID:
310151
URI
Publication date:
14.7.2023.
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