Beech (Fagus sylvatica) in the Netherlands : Importance, Research and Results : 3. IUFRO - Buchensymposium

Zvolen

1991

S. 243-253

6 Abb., 2 Tab., 12 Lit. Ang.

Bandaufführung

75614

The area under beech in The Netherlands is about 10000 ha (3% of the total forest area). Government policy for more natural species composition in forests makes an expansion of the beech area very likely. Furthermore there are good possibilities for beech to supply quality timber. The great variation in the growth of beech in The Netherlands is closely connected with differences in the water and nutrition supply of the soil. Experiments with natural regeneration on acid brown podzolic soils have shown the need to improve light conditions to obtain satisfactory suvival and growth of seedlings. Superficial soil cultivation after mast fall increases germination and on the poorer soil types it also reduces seedling mortality. Liming (2000kg Dolokal per ha) improves survival as well. It also boosts the growth of competing plants and therefore it is preferable to lime a decade or so before the moment of beech regeneration. Research on selection and breeding started in 1983. In addition to 24 Dutch provenances 37 foreign provenances are being studied.