Omorika Spruce as a Potential Substitute for Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce in Post-Pollution Reforestation for Industrial Use

Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) plays a key role in European forestry as well as in the wood-processing industry. Identifying suitable alternative species has become increasingly important. In this study, we compared several spruce species originating from two sites in the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory, 483–883 m a.s.l.), an area severely affected by an extensive air-pollution disaster (high SO2 concentrations) during the 1970s and 1980s. Norway spruce, Serbian spruce (Picea omorika [Panč.] Purk.) and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) were evaluated in terms of production potential, carbon sequestration relevant to climate-change mitigation, and selected physical wood properties (wood density and shrinkage). The greatest stem volume and corresponding carbon sequestration were recorded for P. omorika (0.191 m3; 75.5 kg), followed by P. abies (0.142 m3; 49.0 kg), while P. pungens showed significantly (p < 0,05) lower values (0.069 m3; 30.6 kg). In terms of wood properties, the highest wood-density values were obtained for P. omorika, together with P. abies, at both sites. P. pungens exhibited lower wood densities. In terms of shrinkage, the species displayed similar values. Overall, our results indicate that P. omorika is comparable to P. abies, and its wood could therefore serve as a suitable substitute for certain applications.