REGENERATION OF PICEA-ABIES FORESTS ON HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE PEATLANDS - CLEARCUTTING OR SELECTIVE CUTTING

The study was focused on severe forest regeneration problems that are typical for highly productive peatlands. The aim of the study was to give recommendations for practical forestry on how to renew the forests. Experiments with different forest regeneration methods on highly productive peatlands were set up in nine mature Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests in northern, central and southern Sweden. The treatments in the study were natural regeneration in shelterwoods (at densities of 140 and 200 stems ha-1), planting of bare-root spruce seedlings after site preparation (mounding) in the shelterwoods and on clearcuts, and planting without site preparation on clearcuts. Judging from the extent of windthrow in the denser shelterwoods and the stocking of natural regeneration under remaining shelter trees 4-5 years after final cut, shelterwood regeneration is a promising method. On clearcuts, planting without site preparation resulted in poor seedling survival. large extent of damage to the seedlings and small height increment. Planting in mounds on the clearcuts was much more successful. The best survival of planted seedlings was observed in the shelterwoods. Both the denser and the sparse shelterwoods seemed to give satisfactory protection to the seedlings. Final recommendations on the most suitable forest renewal method(ss will be made in about five years after the removal of the shelter trees.