Abstract

Establishment growth and production of mixed stands planted on farmland In 1988 a mixed stand experiment was established on former farmland in southern Sweden, lat. 57° 57’ N., long. 12° 24’ E. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) was planted in pure and mixed stands. The birches were planted in pure stands and in mixed stands the same year as the spruces, one and two years after the spruces. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch was planted with the same experimental design as for Norway spruce and silver birch. Before planting the farmland was harrowed and the area was fenced by electric wires. Totally ten treatments (parcels) were tested. The plot was 30 x 30 m with 100 seedlings in the spacing 1.5 x 1.5 m. The localization of the parcels was randomized. The treatments were replicated four times. During three years after planting dead and seriously damaged seedlings were replaced by new fresh seedlings. The trial was examined 1991, 1993, 1998, 2004, 2007 and 2011. Some of the stands were thinned 2007 or 2011. In 1998 before any removal of trees has been done the survival ranged from 29 to 87 %. The survival for Norway spruce was 77-87 %, for Silver birch 37-84 % and for Scots pine 29-87%. Between 1998 and 2002 the number of pines growing in mixed stands drastically decreased. In 2011 the mean annual increment (MAI) for Norway spruce, silver birch and Scots pine growing in pure stands was 9.5, 5.8 and 7.5 m3 ha-1 year-1 respectively. In mixed stands of birch and spruce MAI ranged between 2.8 and 6.3 for spruce and for birch 2.4 and 5.2. Based on results from the study and experiences some recommendations are presented. When planting trees in mixed stands on farmland 2500-3000 stems per hectare should be planted divided in 600-700 birches and 2000-2500 spruces. The plantation must be fenced on areas frequently visited by wild habitat.

Keywords

Basal area, DBH, farmland, height, Norway spruce, Scots pine, silver birch, yield

Published in

Rapport (Institutionen för energi och teknik, SLU)
2013, number: 66
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


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/50635