In beech management, the development of red heart is still a bi problem. In 27 stands in Sauerland, felled stems were controlled for read heart at the top end. The stems were divided into three age classes (< 120, 120-150 and 150 years) and four top diameter classes (30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and more cm). The increase in the amount of red-hearted stems was steep between the diameter classes and low between the age classes. So the effect of growing diameter is much more important than that of growing age, and the possibilities of avoiding red heart by shorter rotation times seem to be low. The comparision from trees with or without spiral growth shows no differences. Broken branches in the lower crown area favor the development of red heart, but this seems not to be the main cuase. Considering the low possibilities of avoiding red heart, forestry should invest in a much more intensive research to develop and increase the use of this type of wood and its marketing.
