Abstract

During 1960-2000 areas of farmland have been laid down. The first main reduction of farmland started in the middle of 1960 and parts of the area was planted with Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). At the second reduction, mainly 1988 to 2000 but still ongoing, the farmer, during the first five years, got contribution for planting broadleaf species.Today the planted spruce stands produce high yields and the stands have been thinned once or twice. However the experiences from this period show that the public opinion is very critical to so called spruce farmlands, which are dark and unfriendly to visit.Our studies 2006-2009 indicate different results. We have invented 131 localities mostly in southern and middle Sweden. The studied species was: pubescent (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) and pendula birch (Betula pendula Roth), grey (Alnus incana (L.) Moench.) and common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner), wild cherry (Prunus avium L.), hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx. x Populus tremula L.), hybrid poplar (Populus sp.)and hybrid larch (Larix ). Survival and growth, but also the wood quality and stem form of lime tree (Tilia sp.) was low. Therefore no results was reported. The number of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands was low and was not reported in the study. Earlier studies of 157 plantings of Norway spruce are also analyzed in our study. We have also examined broadleaf stand (aspen, birch and sallow) naturally regenerated on former farmland.The main part of the examined stands has a high survival, undamaged and well closed. As a mean the survival based on the initial five years was 70-70 % for birch and alder species and Norway spruce. Hybrid larch had a low survival, 20 %. The volume growth differed between the species. The most fast-growing species are hybrid aspen and poplar (13-19 m3 ha-1 year-1), Norway spruce (13 m3 ha-1 year-1). The growth of the other species differed between 3 and 7 m3 ha-1 year-1. Today plantation of Norway spruce is well functioning method with suitable provenances, recommendations for treatment of the ground and planting.The main reasons for failed plantations are missing the soil treatment before planting and poor methods for or no fencing against wild habitat. For some species such as hybrid aspen, poplar and hybrid larch the fence must be up to date during 20-25 years.

Keywords

Abandoned farmland, mean annual increment, survival, tree species, yield

Published in

Rapport (Institutionen för energi och teknik, SLU)
2010, number: 27
Publisher: Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Institutionen för energi och teknik

SLU Authors

• Johansson, Tord

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science
Renewable Bioenergy Research


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/32688