The Decline of the Beech in Southern Sweden : Disease/Environment Interactions in Forest Decline. Proceedings of a Workshop of the Working Party Disease/Environment Interactions in Forest Decline IUFRO 7.02.06, Vienna, Austria, March 16-21, 1998
Quantitative assessments of crown damage and growth of leading and lateral shoots in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) were recorded at 211 observation sites in southern Sweden in 1988 and 1993. A total of 2568 trees were examined. In 1993, 37% and 13% of the observed trees displayed > 10% and > 25% crown defoliation, respectively, compared to 12% and 3% of the trees in 1988. Only 35% of the trees showed normal growth of leading and lateral shoots in 1993, compared to 54% of the observed trees in 1988. The condition of beech trees in forests differed significantly in different parts of the region. The incidence of crown defoliation and reduced shoot growth increases significantly with tree age and degree of wind exposure. The parameters referring to the crown were inter-related. Their relationships to the different tree and stand variables observed were also similar.
