Effect of Slenderness Coefficient on Growth Characteristics of Quercus Castaneifolia Seedlings

In order to investigate the effect of slenderness coefficient (SE) on growth characteristics of Quercus castaneifolia seedling, the seedlings with small SE (52 ± 20) and big SE (133 ± 42) were planted as completely randomly design in a degraded plain forest. The results of independent-T test indicated that at the end of second growth season, survival rate of seedlings with small SE (%82) and big SE (%58) was differently significant. The seedlings with small SE had greater increment in collar diameter, stem length and apical shoot than those with big SE. It can be deduced that Q. castaneifolia seedlings with small SE have higher ability to absorb nutrient, due to their bigger collar diameter and stronger roots. Therefore, Q. castaneifolia seedling with small SE can be useful for reforestation in Northern forests of Iran.