Summary
At Holme Fen Nature Reserve, two sample trees were felled in each of nine, natural birch stands representing an age series of from 6 to 55 years. Data are given of the weights of leaves, branches, boles and in some cases of roots for the sample trees and the growing stock. Estimates of the gross production of dry matter by birch are given after allowing for the death of suppressed trees and leaf falletc. Attention is drawn to the fundamental differences between the productive capacities of natural birch stands and plantations of evergreen conifers such asPinus sylvestris.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jokela, A. and Ylänen, J., Amount of foliage in birch stands. Metsät Aikak.4, 131 (1956).
Kuntz, J. E. and Riker, A. J., The use of radio-active isotopes to ascertain the role of root grafting in the translocation of water, nutrients, and disease-inducing organisms among forest trees. Proc. Intern. Conf. Peaceful Uses Atomic Energy Geneva 195512, 144 (1956).
Laitakari, E., Männyn juuristo. Morfologinen tutkimus. Acta Forest Fenniae33, 1 (1929).
Ovington, J. D., and Pearsall, W. H., Production Ecology. 2. Estimates of average production by trees. Oikos7, 202 (1956).
Ovington, J. D., Dry-matter production byPinus sylvestris L. Ann. Botany N.S.21, 287 (1957).
Pearsall, W. H. and Gorham, E., Production Ecology. 1. Standing crops of natural vegetation. Oikos7, 193 (1956).
Rutter, A. J., The relation between dry weight increase and linear measures of growth in young conifers. Forestry28, 125 (1955).
Watson, D. J., The physiological basis of variation in yield. Advances in Agron.4, 101 (1952).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ovington, J.D., Madgwick, H.A.I. The growth and composition of natural stands of birch. Plant Soil 10, 271–283 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01416374
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01416374