Frost cracks and their effect on the stability of birch stands in the Krušné hory Mts

E. Kula, I. Buchta and P. Stránský
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E. Kula: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
I. Buchta: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
P. Stránský: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno, Brno, Czech Republic

Journal of Forest Science, 2006, vol. 52, issue 8, 348-356

Abstract: Frost cracks which originated in birch due to bending during long-term icing in winter 1995/1996 became the place of entrance for the attack of birch stems by Piptoporus betulinus (Bull. ex Fr.) Karst. and subsequently for one of the causes of birch stand disintegration in the Krušné hory Mts. The hypothesis is substantiated on the basis of regularities of the frost crack dispersion in the stem profile, frequency of occurrence related to the stand age, altitude and cardinal points. The number of frost cracks increased with the transect profile altitude 700-850 m. One crack on the birch stem predominated (73%) while the higher number of frost cracks occurred at altitudes > 800 m. In stands younger than 20 years, frost crack damage was higher (34-47%) than in older stands (14%). Frost cracks occurred in the lower part of stems with the highest bending stress.

Keywords: Betula pendula Roth; frost cracks; icing; Piptoporus betulinus (Bull. ex Fr.) Karst.; Krušné hory Mts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:52:y:2006:i:8:id:4517-jfs

DOI: 10.17221/4517-JFS

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