Naslov
Growth characteristics of introduced green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) and narrow-leaved ash (F. angustifolia L.) in lowland forest region in Croatia

Autori
Kremer, Dario ; Čavlović, Juro ; Božić, Mario

Izvornik
New Forests (0169-4286) 31 (2006), 2; 211-224

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
green ash; radial growth; mean stand tree; stem analysis; height growth; volume growth

Sažetak
American ash and green ash were used about one hundred years ago in the lowland regions of Croatia to afforest and fill the depressions where narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl) could not survive. The growth of mean stand trees of green ash and narrow-leaved ash were studied in 14 sites (a systematic sample of 0.03 ha circular plots). A total of 212 trees were cored and eleven cross-section samples were taken for stem analysis. The Mann Whitney U test showed statistically significant differences in radial growth between narrow-leaved and green ash at all sites. In green ash, the test revealed a statistically significant difference in the radial growth between the last 20 year period and the preceding 20 year period. Green ash are characterised by the fact that annual radial growth in the first 20 to 30 years is very high (above average), while after that it is consistently suppressed below average growth and amounts to only about 1.5 mm. The obtained results of faster growth and a low final growth value suggest that green ash should be managed with short rotations, since this important pioneer species is intended to improve the conditions in those sites where forest vegetation has regressed.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Šumarstvo

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