Phenology of Pistacia atlantica Desf subsp. mutica (F. & M.) Rech. at Khalkhal forests

Phenological characteristics of Pistacia atlantica Desf subsp. Mutica (F. & M.) Rech were investigated at two different sites of Khalkhal Forests (Mazrae and Kandiragh) at two altitudes (1450 and 1650 m.a.s.l) and one aspect (south), during the years of 2001 to 2003. For this study, 30 trees at each site were selected and registered. The study started at March (beginning of the growing season) and ended at full leaf fall of each year. Every 7-10 days, the phenological characteristics were measured as date of budding, date of leaf formation, flowering, fruiting, fruit ripening and leaf fall. Statistical analaysis was done by compound analysis of variance method. Results showed that date of budding is between 3rd and 4th week of April, flowering between 4th week of April and 1st week of May, fruit set between 2nd and 3rd week of May, fruit ripening between 4th week of October and 1st week of November and leaf fall between 1st and 2nd week of December. The statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences beween the phenological characteristics and two altitudes. There was significant negative correlations between average rainfall and date of budding and flowering.