GROWTH-RESPONSE OF CONIFEROUS STANDS TO WHOLE-TREE HARVESTING IN EARLY THINNINGS

A series of 15 field experiments was established to quantify the growt h response of first-thinning stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L. ) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) to whole-tree harvesting and to estimate the need for nutrient compensation. The experiments we re undertaken in Finland, Norway and Sweden and represent a wide range of site conditions. The site index (H-100) of Scots pine stands varie d from 19 to 29 m, and that of Norway spruce stands from 28 to 36 m. T otal amounts of biomass and nutrients removed were calculated based on data obtained from felled sample trees. During the first 5-yr period the growth response to the removal of logging residues varied consider ably in both pine and spruce stands. Regression analyses did not revea l any functions that explained the variation in results satisfactorily . In cases where whole-tree harvesting influenced tree growth negative ly, this effect was counteracted by compensatory fertilization. It was concluded that to determine the response of remaining trees to harves ting intensity reliably, the post-harvest period analysed must be long er than 5 yrs.