Assessment of tree damage following the first entry of shelterwood cutting in the Carpathian region

Abstract The article presents the results of a study on damage to trees left after the first stage of uniform shelterwood cutting in beech-fir stands of the Carpathian region. The aim of the study was to determine the level, nature, and factors of damage sustained by trees remaining after logging operations. The damage was assessed by location, size, and depth of wounds, as well as the distance from the edge of the skid trail. The results showed that the highest proportion of damaged trees were those located in close proximity to skidding paths and trails. The vast majority of damage occurred on trunks and the root collar, while significantly fewer injuries were recorded in the root zone – 25.3%. The most common type of damage involved exposed but undamaged wood. In terms of wound size, medium-sized injuries (11–100 cm 2 ) were the most frequent. Logging caused damage to an average of 9.3% of the trees left after cutting. The data confirm that with more intensive skidding, not only does the share of damaged trees increase, but so does the severity of the damage. It was found that the proportion of trees with minor injuries (damage only to the outer bark layer) decreases as skidding intensity increases. When logging intensity exceeds 120–130 m 3 ha −1 , a sharp deterioration in the preservation indicators of the remaining trees is observed. The presented results have practical significance for improving logging technologies in the Carpathians.