Quantifying the structure of beech stands at old growth phase (Case study: Asalem forests, northern Iran)

The study of forest structure is one of the fundamental and necessary researches to achieve the objectives of close to nature silviculture. This research was conducted to quantify the forest stand structure in the old-growth phase in compartment 419 of Shafaroud forests in west of Guilan province. Three one-hectare areas were chosen in this phase and full calipering method used to record stand structure. In each plot, 30×30 m gird plot was laid out and diameter at breast height, distance among trees and the angle between them were measured for the closest beech to the center of plot as reference tree. Three neighbor trees closest to the reference tree were also measured. According to the results meanwhile diameter and height differentiation were 0.42 and 1.7, respectively. According to the mingling index, beech trees moderately tend to occur with other species in this phase. The old growth phase is an important and fundamental stage in the development of mixed beech stands the true recognition of which is useful in facing with new challenges in forest stand management.