The aim of this study was to compare medium-term growth dynamics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in areas after forest fire and clearcut in different forest types to improve the understanding of post-fire growth of trees in hemiboreal forest zone. The data were collected at four Scots pine dominated forest stands located in northern and central parts of Latvia (56°45´-57°40´N; 22°32´-24°98´E) burned or clearcut in 1992, 2004 and 2006; forest types Vacciniosa, Vacciniosa mel and Myrtillosa mel. In each study site 100m 2 and 25 m 2 circular plots were placed systematically and height increment of Scots pine were measured. The average height of Scots pine at the age of 8 years was 167±54.2 cm Vacciniosa and 230±90.3 cm Myrtillosa mel. At the age of 10 years 184+71.1 cm Vacciniosa mel, and at the age of 22 years 360±214.1 cm Vacciniosa. Our results demonstrated that 8 years after the forest fire mean height of Scots pine was significantly lower in burned areas in comparison to clearcut, but there were no significant differences in mean height of trees 10 and 19 years after forest fire. It indicates, that impact of forest fire on tree growth diminishes over time and in forest types on more fertile soil its effect is more limited than on poor soil. Tree height was notably more variable in all the burned areas in comparison to the control areas.
In forestry, alien tree species are planted to maximize yield from a stand by increasing productivity and decreasing environmental risks. In Eastern Europe, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) might be used as a source of biomass and industrial wood; however, before any recommendations are given, possible gains of the novel species should be scrupulously evaluated. In this study, we compared volume and proportion of knotty stemwood (VKN) of native Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from first generation seed orchards and provenances of alien lodgepole pine [Fort Nelson (58°38' N, 122°41' W) and Summit Lake (54°24› N, 122°37› W)] at the age of 27 years growing in central Latvia. We also assessed the relationships between VKN and several morphometric parameters.Stem diameter of both species was similar; however, Summit Lake provenance of lodgepole pine exceeded Scots pine in height, while Fort Nelson provenance was lower than Scots pine. Although Scots pine produced nearly two times less whorls than lodgepole pine, volume of knotless stemwood did not differ significantly between the species; though it was higher for Summit Lake provenance of lodgepole pine compared to Scots pine. In contrast, the proportion of VKN differed significantly between both the species and the provenances. Scots pine showed the lowest proportion of VKN (~ 9%) and Fort Nelson provenances of lodgepole pine showed the highest proportion of VKN (~ 14%). Thus, Summit Lake appears more suitable for the production of industrial wood amongst the provenances of lodgepole pine; nevertheless, higher quantity of leftover material is expected. Some morphometric parameters correlated with VKN and the proportion of VKN, but these relationships differed between species and provenances. The total cross-section of branches was the best predictors of VKN for Scots pine and Fort Nelson provenance of lodgepole pine, while stem diameter showed the strongest correlation for Summit Lake provenance. Number of whorls and mean diameter of living branches were the best predictors of the proportion of VKN for lodgepole pine and Scots pine, respectively. Accordingly, morphometric parameters might be useful for the selection of the best trees of lodgepole pine.
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