Journal of Forest Science, 2012 (vol. 58), issue 11

Effect of log length on productivity and cost of Timberjack 450C skidder in the Hyrcanian forest in Iran

R. Mousavi

J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(11):473-482 | DOI: 10.17221/85/2011-JFS  

This paper presents research results on the performance of the Timberjack 450C skidder in timber skidding at two working sites of broadleaved trees in mountainous conditions in the Hyrcanian forest. To evaluate the current skidding system in the Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran and possibility of finding out better techniques and group organization an empirical time study has been conducted. The elements of the skidding work phase were identified and 123 cycles were recorded for short-log and long-log method. The models for effective time consumption, total productivity and unit cost of skidding in short-log and long-log method were calculated. The...

Analysis of price changes of selected roundwood assortments in some Central Europe countries

J. Suchomel, M. Gejdoš, L. Ambrušová, R. Šulek

J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(11):483-491 | DOI: 10.17221/98/2011-JFS  

The paper deals with the analysis of price changes of roundwood (spruce, fir and beech sawlog, fuelwood) and energy wood in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Austria during the period of 2008-+September 2011. At the beginning of the article, the authors identify the major factors influencing timber price trends such as legislation regarding technical standards for the quality grading of round wood, global economic recession, incidental felling and political influence. Consequently, detailed analysis of timber price changes in selected European counties is provided by means of line graphs. The results of the analysis revealed that demand for wood and wood...

Influence of limestone and amphibolite application on growth of Norway spruce plantation under harsh mountain conditions

T. Koňasová, 4, I. Kuneš, M. Baláš, K. Millerová, V. Balcar, O. Špulák, M. Drury

J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(11):492-502 | DOI: 10.17221/112/2011-JFS  

The results of a fifteen-year period of investigations conducted on Norway spruce in the upper plateau of the Jizerské hory Mts. were summarised. The objectives were to evaluate the growth performance of an experimental plantation under harsh environmental conditions and assess the effects of amendments as well as the influence of the forest site variability on growth performance and survival of young spruces. The following treatments were distinguished: (1) lower control, (2) limestone and (3) amphibolite treatments on a less exposed slope of the ridge and (4) upper control on a summit of the mountain ridge. Principle characteristics such as mortality...

Early-arriving saproxylic beetles developing in Scots pine stumps: effects of felling type and date

J. Foit

J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(11):503-512 | DOI: 10.17221/46/2012-JFS  

A total of 320 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) low stumps were analysed within two stands (one stand was thinned, and the other stand was subjected to clear-cut final felling) in the Drahanská Highlands in the Czech Republic. Each stand was divided into four parts, and the felling of each part was performed on different dates during 2006 (February, May, August and November). The fauna of early-arriving saproxylic beetles inhabiting the stumps was investigated by peeling the bark in two vegetation periods after the felling. A total of 17 species of beetles were found. The felling type and date affected the species composition of the recorded...

Investigating the out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre in stems of three broadleaved species in Hyrcanian forests

A. Fallah, N. Riahifar, K. Barari, A. Parsakhoo

J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(11):513-518 | DOI: 10.17221/13/2012-JFS  

The out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre of Alnus subcordata, Acer velutinum and Quercus castaneifolia growing in Hyrcanian forests of Iran were investigated. Stem disks were cut from the breast height and stump height of felled trees in diameter classes of 20 cm to 90 cm. Results indicated that the pith eccentricity for Acer velutinum was significantly greater than that of Alnus subcordata and Quercus castaneifolia (P < 0.01). The pith-off-centre significantly increased with increasing stem diameter from 20 cm to 50 cm, while no significant difference were observed for pith-off-centre...