The aim of this paper is to establish the diameter increment response of wild cherry to crown size and available growth space. In order to achieve this, an analysis of 110 trees on sites of the plant communities Hedero - Fagetum, Lamio orvalae - Fagetum and Hacquetio - Fagetum and an analysis of 10 trees growing in open area were carried out. Diameter increment of trees in younger stages of development predominantly depends on height precedence over adjacenttrees. Later on, diameter increment is influenced by crown width and finally - in the mature phase - by relative crown length. Within this research the highest so far known wild cherry tree in Slovenia was measured, measuring 38.79 m in height at the age of 74 years.
|