Management of gray alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench.) stands in Latvia
2009
Daugavietis, M., Latvian State Forestry Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Daugaviete, M., Latvian State Forestry Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Bisenieks, J., Latvian State Forestry Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)
Grey alder stands currently take up 10.2 % or 329 700 ha of the total forest area, and the area of these stands is continuing to increase mainly in non-managed agricultural lands of private owners (Central Statistical Bureau, 2007). The reforestation of cutting areas harvested in the wintertime by grey alder root and stump coppices reaches 35-150 thousand per hectare in the first year. The amount of coppices decreases to 16-47 % in the following 3 years. The first thinning of young alder stands can be recommended at an age of 3-5 years by decreasing the number of trees to 4000-5000 per ha. The research showed that the resurgence with root and stump offspring in grey alder clearings was intense, and no expenses were required for forest restoration. By artificially making grey alder grow in agricultural lands, the planting and maintenance costs are similar to those of other species. The research shows the possibilities of increasing the amounts of wood obtained per unit of area when freely choosing the rotation age and the purpose of growing grey alder. It is shown that by cutting grey alder at an age of 15-20 years, 1.90-2.28 times more wood per ha can be obtained than by cutting aspen, birch and black alder at the age determined by the law. The results of this research allow recommending grey alder as a prospective tree species with rotation age of 15-20 years for production of energy wood and with rotation age of 25-30 years for production of energy wood and small timber.
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