PRODUCTION OF THE ABOVEGROUND DENDROMASS IN RELATION TO THE LEAF-AREAINDEX IN PURE STANDS OF SPANISH CHESTNUT (CASTANEA-SATIVA MILL) TENDED BY CROWN THINNINGS

The work evaluates the effects of crown thinnings on the leaf area. in dex (LAI) creation and its relation to the production of the abovegrou nd dendromass in pure stands of Spanish chestnut (Castanea sativa MILL .) in Slovakia. The highest values of LAI, production and supply of th e aboveground dendromass during a 20-yr development of stands were fou nd in pure stands tended by strong crown thinnings with an interval of repetition 10 years. At the age of 36 LAI is 4.34 ha.ha(-1), abovegro und dendromass supply is 265.02 t.ha(-1), mean periodical increment pe r a unit of growth area is 22.82 t.ha(-1).year(-1) and the mean period ical increment per a unit of leaf area is 5.67 g.dm(-2).year(-1).