Growth and Yield of Hornbeam-sessile Oak (Carpinus betulus L. - Quercus petraea /Matt./Lieb.) Stands Under Optimal Management in Hungary

2000

5 Abb., 18 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

2723

200073050

In mixed forests, a basic question is what is the optimal ratio of the species with respect to yield. As a firest attempt in Hungary to address this issue, a yield table for hornbeam-oak forests was developed. This indicated, at a hypotheses level, that mixed hornbeam-oak stands may have around the same yield as unmixed oak stands. In addition to publishing this new yield table, this paper directly addresses the issue of the optimal species ratio by using the data from permanent sample plots established in mixed stands of optimal structure, of too much oak and of too much hornbeam. The optimal ratio is analysed in relation to age and yield class. According to the results, it is best to mix the two species on the best sites and at middle ages; however, on poor sites and at younger or old ages, pure oak stands produce the greatest yield. This paper stresses that mixing the two species, as in many other forest types, may also have many ecological and economic advantages.