Open access publications in the SLU publication database

Abstract

Variation in wood properties, timber harvest and yield, on the establishment of seed-tree and shelter-tree stands as compared with clear-felling of Pinus sylvestris, was studied at two sites. Seed trees and shelter trees were selected on the basis of seed productivity, health and vitality criteria. Pines not needed to establish seed or shelter tree stand are referred to as %different pines". The annual radial increment of seed trees was superior to that of indifferent pines but basic density from pith to bark was lower. Shelter trees were intermediate. Differences in wood properties and dimensions between seed trees, shelter trees and indifferent pines reflect the selection criteria used. Differences in value were related to the timber section of the tree, the amounts of pulpwood being more or less constant. At the two sites the change from conventional clearfelling to shelter-tree stands reduced the timber harvest by 100 m-3 s.u.b. ha-1. The increased percentage of pulpwood, the decreased percentage of U/S logs and a decrease in mean diameter lead to a substantial reduction in value m-3s.u.b. Basal area increment was reduced by 10% in a shelter-tree stand and by less than 25% in a seed-tree stand.