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ENGLISH OAK (QUERCUS ROBUR L.) STANDS CHARACTERISTICS IN LATVIA

Aigars Indriksons

Abstract

The broadleave tree species have always been in the focus of attention of forest managers and owners because of valuable wood. Moreover, the presence of broadleaves increases the forest biological diversity. There is only a limited selection of tree species in Latvia ? the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), pubescent birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), less represented - common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), common aspen (Populus tremula L.) and English oak (Quercus robur L.). The large size oak planting material has been used for artificial regeneration. However there are several disadvantages to be mentioned as the high price, complicated agrotechnics, the influence of the abiotic and biotic factors, changing tree breeding technologies, the minimal demand, the fact that broadleave stands are considered most often only for biological diversity etc. However, the oak breeding problematics is becoming actual in the last 20 years. The aim of research was to clarify the amount and quality of English oak stands in Latvia. The national forest inventory data basis about the tree species distribution was analyzed as well the statistics of 3 oak breeding tree nurseries. The quality assessment of grown planting material is performed. According to statistical data of 2017, the forest stands with English oak as the dominant species take of 9 186 hectares or 0.3% of the total countrie's forest area. The most of oak stands have age between 70 and 140 years. The young growths comprises the area about 750 hectares but approximately 200 hectares have age over 200 years. The Oxalidosa is dominant forest site type for oak in Latvia by taking of 51%. The Hylocomiosa and Aegopodiosa follow with 24 and 19% respectively. Along with the small amount of oak planting, an enhanced rate of it's natural regeneration in forests is observed.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2018v/1.5/s03.077

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