ABOVEGROUND DENDROMASS FORMATION IN RELATION TO THE LEAF-AREA INDEX OF MIXED FOREST STANDS OF SPANISH CHESTNUT (CASTANEA-SATIVA MILL)

The work evaluates leaf area index (LAI) and its relation to the above ground dendromass production in various forest stand types of European chestnut (Castanea saliva Mill.) in Slovakia which were tended by mod erate crown thinnings up to the age of 28. The highest LAI values were found at the above age in an untended mixed stand of Castanea saliva Mill. and Tilia cordata Mill. (9.09 ha.ha(-1)) together with the highe st aboveground dendromass stock (138.72 t.ha(-1)) and the highest mean periodical increment per a unit of growth area (9.08 t.ha(-1).year(-1 )) within the years 1982-1986. The highest value of the mean periodica l increment per a unit of leaf area (6.38 g.dm(-2)) was found in a ten ded mixed stand of Castanea saliva Mill. and Tilia cordata Mill., with in the years 1977-1981.