Silvicultural characteristics of an unlogged mixed oriental beech stand in the Golesatan Province

Today, silvicultural studies of intact forest stand has gained considerable importance so that knowledge of such stands structural characteristics can be applied as a pattern for managed stands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the silvicultural characteristics of a mixed beech stand in district one of Shast-Kalateh Forest in Gorgan. All living trees with a diameter at breast height ≥7.5 cm including; species, total height, trunk height, crown height, crown diameter, and the distance between the individual stems were measured. The results showed that beech allocated the highest number, basal area and volume per hectare to itself, being 116n.ha, 17.2m2 and 263.3m3, respectively. Also, the maximum mean diameter, area, and crown volume corresponded to beech stem, whereas the minimum values of the above-mentioned characteristics were pertaining to the other species. The studied forest had 3 layers, an unregularly uneven- aged structure and dominant type (Fagus orientalis-Carpinus betulus). The distribution of height frequency in diameter classes showed that hornbeam curve was higher than that of beech in lower diameter classes. While, beyond 35cm< diameter beech curve height surpasses that of hornbeam. The results of the research likewise displayed that the stand trees had a stable regarding to height/DBH ratio. It can be overally concluded that gaining knowledged on a stand's silvicultural characteristics can bring about positive results for forest manager and experts since the mentioned characteristics are variable in terms of time and spatial.