he article presents the development of beech stands and their reactions to different thinning intensity, and the comparison of thinned and unthinned beech stands. The development of beech stands in the Somova gora research object (Forest Enterprise Kočevje, Forest Unit Željne-Laze, compartments 43 and 40, mountain beech forest on carbonate; Enneaphyllo-Fagetum) bas been examined since 1980. The stands are now in the developmental phase of pole-stand and were formed by shelterwood cutting some 85 years ago. Four measurements have been carried out (1980, 1986, 1989, and 1993), and the stand was thinned in 1980 and 1991. The effects of thinning are evident and can be obse1ved in diameter growth, timber production, diameter structure, tree-number, stand quality, covering rate of herb layer, and crown characteristics. The diameter increment of crop trees is higher than the diameter increment of other equally thick trees.
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