Quantitative study of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) in Mamji-Darasii habitat, East Azarbaijan

In this study, a habitat of wild cherry (111 ha) in Mamji-Darasii in the province of East Azerbaijan, the city of Kalibar, was fully inventoried and all wild cherry trees were then counted and measured. Frequency of cherry regenerations was also calculated by establishing 23 0.1 ha ample plots. The results showed that 86.6% of the cherry trees were healthy and vital and their mean height, diameter at breast height and volume were 9.3 m, 12.6 cm and 0.08 m3, respectively. The highest and lowest frequencies were 10 and 25 cm DBH classes, respectively . Density, basal area and volume of cherry trees in stand level were calculated as 2.14 individual.ha-1, 0.032 m2.ha-1 and 0.17 m3.ha-1, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the quantitative characteristics of trees and slope but diameter, height and basal area of the cherry trees decreased with increasing the altitude. Most of the trees (62%) were found on the northeast-facing slopes. The trees were taller in the northeast directions and in terms of diameter, basal area and volume, trees in the eastern aspects had higher dimensions. A total of 53 dead trees were counted, of which 43 were standing and 10 fallen. They constituted 18.2% of total cherry trees. The regeneration rate of cherries was 36.1 individual.ha-1. The highest abundance of trees belonged to the hornbeam followed by oak Wild cherry with 3% abundance was in fourth place. To enhance and increase the density of wild cherries, slight opening of the canopy is necessary using appropriate silvicultural operations.