In Austria 46-2% of the surface is covered by forests. Conifers account for 77-9%, broadleaf species for 10-2% and shrub for 1-9% of the total forest land (3,877.000 ha). Beech is the second most frequent forest tree species (9-8%). Approximately 554,000m³ of beech timber, i.e. 6-1% of the total yield (excluding fuelwood) was produced in 1991. The fast majority of beech woods are high forests. About 73% of Austrian beech woods are privately owned, 27% of the beech forests are managed by the Austrian Federal State Forest Service. Beech grows especially in the northern part, in the south and in the east. With rare exceptions, Fagus sylvatica is not found in the Central Alps. Altitudinal range varies between 170 m and 1,700 m a.s.L. High productivity and excellent wood quality are generally typical in beech stands at elevations between 300 and 800m. Beech is predominantly naturally regenerated by shelterwood system, in part, seedings derived from home collected beech nuits are used for artifivial plantings. Until now, research has focused on post-glacial immigration and virgin forests. Knowledge of geographic variation based on marker-aided studies or field trials is completely missing.
