Preliminary Results of Cutting-back and Tube-sheathing Experiments on Sessile Oak in Montfort State Forest, Upper Normandy

1991

S. 203-207

5 Abb., 2 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200079031

Cutting-back of young oak plants in February/March is recommended as a way of making up for less successful plantations. Tube-sheathing also ensures faster growth of young stems. However, the following questions arise: (a) can a late cutting-back of plants in May/June to avoid frost damage on young shoots be successful, and (b) what can be the effect of tube-sheathing on late cut-back shoots? After one year's measurements, the results of a trial on a Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea Liebl) plantation in Montfort State Forest in Seine-Maritime Departement, Upper Normandy, France, showed that cutting- back in late May should be excluded, on account of poorer growth than for other periods of the year. Mini-greenhouse protection, while having no effect on shoot diameter, increases height growth of theshoots twofold. In this case, the best practice is to cut back early in the season (the young shoot is killed by early frost, however the stump will yield a news shoot that will grow fast thanks to the sheat). If no protection is provided and the site is subject to late frost, it is best to cut back mid-May to prevent frost damage to the first shoots.