Analysis of abundance and quality characteristics of individuals in a regenerated Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stand

Abstract A 40-year-long research of the influence of diverse silvicultural managements on Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stand development has been performed in Šahy Forest District (Veľký Šomoš locality). Currently (stand age 85 years) the stand regeneration has begun. A shelterwood-strip-system of regeneration with a short regeneration period (10 or 15 years) is recommended. During the silvicultural selection of trees we examined quantitative biometrical characteristics and qualitative characteristics. We found out that on the plot with the seed cut 20% of individuals were bent or created vegetative sprouts, 10% of trees had a fork crown and 7% were mechanically damaged. 41% of trees were undamaged. On the plot with the clear cut,up to 47.5% of trees (including chosen trees) were without degradations marks. The number of bent trees (10%) was lower compared to the plot with the seed cut, but the number of trees with vegetative sprouts was higher (26%). Statistical analysis based on χ2 test revealed that the differences in the abundance of qualitative characteristics between the investigated regeneration elements were statistically insignificant. In Europe, Northern red oak is a tree species of the future, so it is necessary to pay more attention to this species.