Preliminary results from simultaneous planting of Fagus sylvatica and pioneer species on calamity clearings

Wecompared the biological and economic effects ofsimultaneous artificial regeneration ofmixtures ofpioneers (birch –Betula pendula Roth oraspen – Populus tremula L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) with plots ofmonospecific beech. During the period oftwo years, the height ofyoung beech trees, their mortality, and the regeneration cost were analysed inthe following treatments: monospecific beech (9 000 pcs·ha−1), monospecific beech (5 000 pcs·ha−1), beech/birch (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha−1) and beech/aspen (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha−1). Four plots (differing insoil and altitude) were established inthe region ofthe Czech Republic inautumn2021. Thepositive biological effect ofthese pioneers was detected only inthe treatments where the initial planting stock ofthe pioneers was substantially higher than inthat ofbeech (onaverage 39 cm vs.100 cm, respectively). However, the expenses ofsimultaneous regeneration were about 15%lower compared toplots with monospecific beech indensities like 9 000 pcs·ha−1, and around 35%higher than inthe monospecific beech plots with adensity of5 000 pcs·ha−1.