engleski

Provenance studies of Douglas fir on the locality “Kontija” (Istria)

One of the most productive and economically important tree species in the USA is Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.)). Because of its broad natural range, in the horizontal as well as in the vertical sense (from California to British Columbia and from sea level up to an altitude of 1500 m), a variety of its provenances has been differentiated. European foresters, thanks to their insight into Douglas fir productivity and usage in its native country, initiated at the beginning of the 19th century the establishment of provenance tests and research on the success of individual provenances outside their natural distribution. In the framework of the IUFRO programme, numerous European countries, among them Croatia, started provenance tests with the aim of researching the adaptability of this valuable species. In several bioclimatic localities in Croatia (Istria, North-West, Central and Eastern Croatia) different provenances have shown good success. The importance of Douglas fir is becoming increasingly evident in conditions of a changing climate and when the possible application of Douglas fir in the establishment of forest cultures is taken into consideration. Douglas fir can be established on uncovered forest and non-forest areas for wood supply or as a potential renewable energy source. The exploitation of wood and biomass from forest cultures enables the conservation of biodiversity and the survival of our natural forest ecosystems.

Douglas fir; provenances; survival; DBH; hight; volume

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