THE GROWING SPACE UTILIZATION OF MAIN TREE SPECIES IN NORTHERN TURKEY

Abstract

Relationships between tree size and tree spatial density is important to define the growing space utilization in a stand. Although a universal slope for the size-density relationships was previously recommended, recent literature studies have revealed that these relationships are species-specific. Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), Trojan fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp.equi-trojani), black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) represent different crown architecture, growth rate and shade tolerance; however, the size-density relationships have not been developed for these tree species in northern Turkey. Thus, in this study, average maximum density (D_AM) slopes for these tree species were determined. Published approaches and models from the literature were utilized to describe the species-specific size-density relationships. The data suggested that the size-density relationships varied among the species, and the slope of the size-density relationships differed from the universal slope of -1.605. The maximum size-density relationships described in this study will be useful for managing stand density in Oriental beech, Trojan fir, black pine and Scots pine forests.