Robinienwirtschaft in Ungarn : I. Die Robinie im praktischen Waldbau : II. Züchtung und Vermehrung der Robinie (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) : III. Robinienenergieholzplantagen : IV. Die Robinie auf dem ungarischen Holzmarkt
Black locust is the most popular tree species in Hungary. It was imported at the beginning of the 18th century and first cultivated as ornamental tree species in parks. From 1750 on it was used for an artificial regeneration of stands. At the beginning of the 20th century Hungary had round about 60.000 ha of black locust forests. The next zenith of locust distribution started in the 20ies of the last century with an edict for the reforestation of the Hungarian lowland. Nowadays, black locust covers 395.000 ha, which is a result of the short rotation period of this tree species, its high shooting ability in the frame of stand establishment and the various application possibilities of its timber. The Hungarian authors descirbe the silvicultural management of black locust, strategies for the reforestation and out-side forest cultivation with this tree species. Its propagation is mainly based on sapling plantations; the seeds for this purpose are harvested only in approved seed stands or are cultivated artifically by micropropagation. In the 1950ies a breeding program started with the aim to cultivate new varieties for improving wood quality. 10 new cultivars are approved and admitted for cultivation on national level. The actual harvesting volume of black locust timber amounts to 1.2 Mio. m3, whereof 80 % are fuel wood. The demand for products from black locust timber is actually considerably in-creasing due to its good properties. Black locust can e.g. be used as alternative to tropical hardwood. Breeding programs thus are worth while, a fact, which was early recognized in Hungary.
