Comparing growth and success of Eldarican pine (Pinus eldarica Medw.) in pure and mixed stands with river red gum (Eucalyptus camadulensis Dehnh.) in Shahid-Paidar Park, Ardakan

In this research, Eldarican pine (Pinus eldarica Medw.) pure stands with two densities were sampled along with a mixed stand with river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) in a systematic randomized design. Quantitative traits of trees including diameter at breast height (dbh), height and crown diameters were measured, followed by calculating the basal area, volume, stability index, crown area and annual increment of quantitative variables. In addition, qualitative traits including forking, twisting and trunk decay were also recorded for each tree. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan tests were applied to analyze data and compare groups. Results indicated a significant difference between stands for all traits except for height and mean height increment. Furthermore, the mixed stand was superior in dbh and its mean annual increment, basal area and its increment, volume and its increment, stability and crown area. Branchless trunk of trees was significantly longer in pure dense stand compared to the others. Most forking and twisting was seen in mixed stand, yet the highest decay was observed for the pure dense stand. Finally, the study concluded that a mixed scenario should be preferred for Eldarican pine due to its better usage of the site capacity, in particular by owing to the fact that mixed stands are considered to be of more sustainability from an environmental and landscape management perspective.