Planting method influence spruce on nursery stock growth on forested area on Mt. Kopaonik and impact on microclimate

For reforestation, especially in the reclamation of degraded areas, it is very important way of site preparation, seedling selection, proper type, size, age, type of production, techniques of planting and care measures after planting. The aim of this research was to propose the more successful technique for afforestation and reforestation activities. Reforested area at the locality “Rendara“ on the Mt. Kopaonik is exposed to unfavourable microclimate with strong winds and snow drifts, the coldest and longest winters in Serbia with the lowest average annual temperature and duration of snow cover is about 160 days a year. This area used to be under spruce forest, remain without woody vegetation and was reforested 1996 with spruce nursery stock (Picea abies Karst.), age of 2+2 years, provenance Mt Tara. Planting was done by two methods: in pits and furrows (”by ripping”). It was planted with a total of 3.000 plants per hectare on the total area of 20 hectares. After 20 years it was recorded a very good success of nursery stock survival and physiological vitality in both planting methods (about 80%) which can be considered very good success. Analysis of growth and physiological vitality done in 2012 show that there was a significant difference between two planting techniques in plant height, mean value of plant height planted in pits and furrows was 4.14 m and 4.95m. According to this research with spruce nursery stock, it is possible to recommend afforestation with planting method in furrows in order to mitigate unfavourable microclimate.Reforested area on the site of a former meadow, now with spruce trees height over 4 m, more substantively retains large amounts of water from snow and rain, which returns to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration, increases the relative humidity of the air and thus affects the microclimate of this site influencing the temperature of air and soil. A large number of trees also lower the intensity of the strong winds and thus cause decreased snow on the road during the winter. Further growth and development of spruce seedlings will certainly improve this favourable trend.