Patterns of wounding and decay in stems of Quercus robur due to bark peeling

A total of 118 Quercus robur L. trees 22-47 yrs of age, 6-24 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) was selected in a forest stand situated in central Lit huania. Among them 77 showed open and 41 healed bark peeling wounds caused by moose 8-25 yrs previously. Selected trees were cut, dissected and examin ed. Oaks were damaged at the age of 9-31 yrs, while being 3-13 cm DBH. Over 80% of wounds were situated 100-190 cm high. Mean initial wound length was 114.8 +/- 52.0 cm and mean initial wound width-11.6 +/- 6.3 cm. Average le ngth of decay in stems was 127.1 +/- 90.5 cm and average lateral decay spre ad over stem cross-section was 19.4 +/- 19.0 cm(2). Differences in decay ex tension beyond open and closed wounds were statistically significant (p < 0 .1%). Age of injury had no significant influence on spread of decay. Extent of decay was mainly determined by initial wound dimensions. The most promi nent positive relationships occurred between length of wound and length of decay column (r = 0.73), and between width of wound and lateral spread of d ecay in stem cross-section (r = 0.81). Average wound healing rate was 1.0 c m yr(-1) and was positively correlated with tree radial growth (r = 0.42). Most common basidiomycetes growing on Q. robur wounds were Stereum hirsutum (Willd.: Fr.) S. F. Gray and Coniophora puteana (Schum.: Fr.) Karst.