Analyses of stand structure as a tool for silvicultural decisions - a casestudy in a Quercus petraea - Sorbus torminalis stand

The study applies structural indites using the example of an oak (Quercus p etraea (Marr.) Liebl.) chequer tree (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz) stand i n order to derive recommendations for the silvicultural treatment of Cheque r trees. The investigated stand, located in the northern parr. of Bavaria, comprises eight tree species and four shrub species. Various indices were u sed to analyse the stand structure and the crown coverage frequency. It was shown that chequer trees, which are presently of high economic interest, a re strongly oppressed in the upper Layer and almost completely missing in t he lower lavers of the stand. The possible reasons for this finding and alt ernatives for the further management of the stand are discussed. Persistent and repeated thinnings in order to ensure sufficient crown development of the chequer trees seem to be essential for their survival.