J. For. Sci., 2009, 55(6):270-278 | DOI: 10.17221/77/2008-JFS

Evaluating the shelterwood harvesting system after 25 years in a beech Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forest in Iran

M. R. Pourmajidian, N. E. Malakshah, A. Fallah, A. Parsakhoo
Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran

Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) is the most industrial commercial tree species among more than 80 broadleaved trees and shrubs in Hyrcanian forests. In this study some of the silvicultural properties of beech were studied under a shelterwood cutting system in a regeneration unit of 25 years old stand in Sangdeh forests of Iran. Tree height, diameter, canopy cover, variety of species, frequency at different stages of growth (seedling, sapling, thicket and pole) and tree density at juvenile phase were recorded in 431 circular 1,000 m2 sample plots before and after shelterwood cutting. Results indicated that tree density in the diameter at breast height (dbh) class of < 20 cm increased during shelterwood cutting. Canopy cover of regeneration unit was 78.5% in 1957, while in 2000 and after the shelterwood cutting it reached 59%. Growing stages of regeneration were 14% sapling, 21% thicket, 24% small pole and 41% pole. The shelterwood method has not been very successful in our study area due to a number of technical and potential problems.

Keywords: Fagus orientalis; shelterwood; regeneration unit; silviculture; Hyrcanian forest

Published: June 30, 2009  Show citation

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Pourmajidian MR, Malakshah NE, Fallah A, Parsakhoo A. Evaluating the shelterwood harvesting system after 25 years in a beech Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forest in Iran. J. For. Sci. 2009;55(6):270-278. doi: 10.17221/77/2008-JFS.
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