The impact of historical and present drivers on biodiversity, particularly species richness and abundance, in afforestation areas concerning non-native tree species is still poorly understood. A better understanding is important to ensure appropriate forest management in the face of climate change...

Is it possible to manage Sitka spruce using continuous cover silviculture? This is the main question that has been examined in a 42ha Trial Area in Clocaenog Forest, northeast Wales, in a joint project between Forest Research, Natural Resources Wales and Bangor University since 2001. The trial is...

This study aimed to achieve early and sustained rapid growth to attempt to exceed the current known maximum yields of 13 species, thereby demonstrating the climatic limitations to high-yielding species on this site. The species chosen were: Corsican pine, Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, Douglas fir,...

Context: The relationship between silvicultural management and the quality of timber produced is not entirely elucidated. Aims: The effects of thinning on structural grade-determining properties of wood (elastic modulus, bending strength and density) were studied on Douglas fir ((Pseudotsuga...

In southeast Alaska, United States, multiple-use forest management objectives include both timber production and wildlife habitat. Following stand-replacing disturbances such as clear-cutting, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.)...

This paper explores a number of trees as alternatives to Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) grown in Scotland. It is established that other species should be used more widely; not necessarily with Sitka-style silviculture. True climax species are Douglas fir, western hemlock, red cedar, silver firs,...

Background and Aims: Conifers are key components of many temperate and boreal forests and are important for forestry, but species differences in stem growth responses to climate are still poorly understood and may hinder effective management of these forests in a warmer and drier future. Methods:...

This proceedings contains eight peer-reviewed papers dealing with the ecology and silviculture of Norway spruce (Picea abies). It covers biomass production, thinning effect on stem-volume production, stand development, forest storey vegetation, and impact of climate change and management of Norway...

The majority of Sitka spruce plantations in the UK are managed by clear-cutting and replanting, which leads to the formation of relatively large blocks (5-30 ha) of even-aged, closely spaced trees. These stands are considered to be poor in terms of general biodiversity and vulnerable to outbreaks...