Potential of the grand fir (Abies grandis (D. Don) Lindl.) in the forestry of the Czech Republic

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00020702%3A_____%2F19%3AN0000120" target="_blank" >RIV/00020702:_____/19:N0000120 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Potential of the grand fir (Abies grandis (D. Don) Lindl.) in the forestry of the Czech Republic

Original language description

Grand fir (Abies grandis [D. Don] Lindl.), growing at 1,297 ha (0.05%) in the Czech Republic, represents one of perspective introduced tree species with high potential for many forest functions, concretely the production, site improvement and landscaping functions. Firstly introduced in the parks and gardens, it was planted in the forest stands since the beginning of the 20th century in greater extent. Later, since 1950s, grand fir was assumed as a partial substitution for native silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), showing decline on large areas in the whole Central Europe, including Czech Republic. Over the last 5 years, the proportion of grand fir has increased by 19.1% in the Czech Republic. Aim of the presented study was the summarization of the Czech research results concerning the silvicultural aspects of this species, production potential and environmental effects in the conditions of the Czech Republic. Grand fir shows high production capacity of timber convenient for specific purposes and favorable effect on the forest site. As for timber production, it is superior also to Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) on specific favorable sites. These sites are characteristic by heavy, compacted clay soils exposed to effects of higher level of the ground soil water. The production of the grand fir was evaluated in the younger stands and compared also with Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and native broad-leaves, showing clearly its superiority. In young stands, the growth dynamics of individual trees was analyzed basing on cross-sections. On majority of sites, grand fir shows better soil forming effects comparing to other coniferous tree species. Soil improving and stabilization function can be supposed in the coniferous stands. Its favorable effects were documented also on the afforested agricultural lands. The timber of this species is soft, light, with lower values of particular mechanic wood characteristics. There is considerable potential contribution for ornamental purposes and as a Christmas tree. At present, this species is not considered as a substitution for silver fir more, as was decades ago, but more for Norway spruce, showing large-scale decline at present.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40102 - Forestry

Project

<a href="/en/project/QK1910292" target="_blank" >QK1910292: Approaches for supporting silver fir in managed forests in the Czech Republic</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2019

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů