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- Title
Intra- and interspecific competition differently influence growth and stem quality of young oaks ( Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.).
- Authors
Saha, Somidh; Kuehne, Christian; Bauhus, Jürgen
- Abstract
Context: Cluster planting has become a conventional establishment method for oaks in Central Europe, where the spacing of seedlings within clusters varies between 'nests' (0.2 × 0.2 m) and 'groups' (1 × 1 m). Although the space between clusters is expected to fill with voluntary regeneration, its competitive effect on oak growth and quality had not been studied yet. Aims: The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of inter- and intraspecific interactions on growth and quality of oaks grown in cluster plantings by quantifying the influence of neighbouring trees. In addition, we analysed whether the spatial position of oaks within groups (inner section or periphery) influenced their quality development. Methods: Using Hegyi's competition index, the influence of competition from intra- and interspecific trees from early, mid- and late-successional species, on diameter, height, slenderness and quality (length of branch-free bole) of 10- to 26-year-old oaks grown in cluster planting stands was quantified at seven sites in Baden-Württemberg and Hessen, Germany. Results: In general, mid- and late-successional trees exerted a stronger competitive influence on growth of target oaks in clusters than the conspecific oaks and pioneer tree species. Oak quality development benefited from intraspecific competition, but self-pruning was not further promoted through additional interspecific competition. Within groups, inner oaks had a higher probability of developing into potential future crop trees than outer oaks. Conclusion: Our study showed that intra- and interspecific competition had different effects on target oak trees and that these effect differed between nest and group plantings. The development of naturally regenerated and planted trainer trees in group plantings should be monitored carefully and if necessary be controlled through thinning or pollarding.
- Subjects
CENTRAL Europe; PLANT competition; ENGLISH oak; DURMAST oak; TREE growth; PLANT stems; TREE seedlings
- Publication
Annals of Forest Science (BioMed Central), 2014, Vol 71, Issue 3, p381
- ISSN
1286-4560
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s13595-013-0345-1