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First results of a trial carried out in an experimental area (“Comunità Montana Colline Metallifere”, Tuscany). After coppicing (winter 1998-1999), 77 Sorbus torminalis, Sorbus domestica and others valuable tree species were released on the whole of 220 standard trees per hectare. Aim of the present study was to estimate the opportunity to produce valuable timber from standards of sporadic tree species living into coppice forests. A research trial aimed at evaluating stem and crown quality as well as radial growth of standards after coppicing was carried out in an area 3 hectares wide. Wild service tree, Service tree and Turkey oak trees were analysed. Seven years after coppicing, the growth pattern of the different species, was also analysed by means of two structural transects. In the early phase after coppicing, root and stump suckers of both Sorbus species (especially Service tree) are able to compete with Turkey oak sprouts as for height growth. In the following stage, the social regression of Sorbus trees is easily foreseeible because of the high competitive ability of Quercus. The good stem and crown shaping showed to be characters owned by a few Sorbus standards only. These were characterized as the largest-sized and early well-crown shaped trees. The same trees showed the highest dbh growth and developed few epicormic branches. A better targeted selection rule of valuable timber tree species to build up the standards’ stock is the recommended practice to improve forest biodiversity, as well as to create an economically important additional option to firewood, usually produced in these coppice forests. |
