Investigations were carried out into the effects of site characteristi
cs on the growth rate of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) (Carr.
), in the Buchan area of north-east Scotland, using General Yield Clas
s (GYC) as a site index. The degree of correlation between GYC and Lan
d Classification for Forestry (LCF) class was also investigated. Data
collected from 90 temporary sample plots were analysed using Principal
Components Analysis and stepwise multiple regression. A model was con
structed which accounted for 44.9 per cent of variation in GYC, with a
n f statistic significant at the 1 per cent level. For a 95 per cent c
onfidence interval, any single new prediction made by the model should
be within +/-3.6 m3 ha-1 yr-1 of the true value. Validation using ind
ependent data from a further 10 temporary sample plots gave a mean dif
ference between observed and expected values of only 0.25 m3 ha-1 yr-1
. No significant difference was found between the means of GYC recorde
d from plots on LCF classes 4, 5 and 6. The results of the study could
be used to support the process of conversion of agricultural land to
conifer plantation, and are pertinent to the development of more proac
tive policies by local authorities towards consultative rural developm
ent planning procedures.