Growth Characteristics × Cone Production Interactions in Relict Oriental Spruce Populations over an Altitudinal Range

Abstract Variation of cone production and impact of growth traits (height, age, diameters and crown volume of trees) on the production were examined in relict Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.) to contribute silvicultural practices of the species. The natural populations of Oriental spruce were sampled altitudinal (A) range based on natural distribution of the species as: A > 2000 m, 1500 m < A < 2000 m, 1000 m < A < 1500 m, and A < 1000 m. Production of cone and growth performances varied for the populations and among trees within population. Averages of cone production were ordered from up to low altitude as 8.0, 116.8, 1716.0 and 2395.0 in the populations. Significant (p < 0.05) differences for cone production and diameter of crown among the populations opposite to other characteristics (p > 0.05) were found depend on results of variance analysis. Estimated variation was acceptable level for cone production of the populations depend on coefficient of variation. The populations had various reflect to relationships among the traits based on results of correlation analysis. It could be said that age seemed better estimator for cone production in P. orientalis. Results of the case study indicated importance of local practices (i.e., altitudinal) in forestry.