The recovery of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) saplings three years after stem breaking was examined. The height of trees that had leader shoot breakage (Durchmesser <8mm) and those with previous year leader shoot breakage (Durchmesser >10mm) did not differ significantly from the unbroken trees. The angle of crookedness was stronger and wound healing weaker in breakages at the thicker parts. The stem of trees broken at leader shoot also showed angular growth, but the wound healing was good and recovery is likely. Wood discoloration occurred in over 80% of the trees. Basidiomycotina fungi were isolated from 30% of all samples. Stain fungi were also isolated from discolarations.
