Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science

Forests of softwood tree species are distributed in a large are of plain territory of Ukraine. Investigation of the patterns of growth of modal tree stands requires a detailed study of their existing condition. Based on the stand-wise database of PA “Ukrderzhlisproekt” (as of 01.01.2011) we have analyzed distribution, current state and detailed mensurational characteristics of birch and alder stands that grow in Ukraine. Their main mean mensurational indices were calculated and a detailed analysis of the growth of tree species in terms of origin, types of forest conditions, age structure, site index classes, relative stocking and share of the tree species in stand composition was conducted. The results have shown that birch trees grow in moderate rich and wet soil conditions, with conditions B₂, B₃ and C₃ most common. Vegetable stands are dominant in origin (54.1% of the total area). By age structure prevails middle-aged stands. Alder stands grow more often in more wet and more fertile conditions (most often found in the conditions of C₃ and C₄), mainly of vegetative origin (77.8% of the area), dominated middleaged stands by the age of the fifth class. The mean site index for the birch and alder stands of Ukraine is respectively I,5 and I,8, mean relative stocking is 0.72 and 0.69, mean growing stock 155 and 169 m³, mean stand composition of the mixed forest stands is 5.5 and 7.2.

Silver birch, Black alder, modal stands, climate zones, origin of stands, type of site conditions, site index class, relative stocking