A sleet storm in February 2014 and following bark beetle outbreak destroyed most of the Norway spruce monocultures and forests with a higher share of spruce in forest district Planina. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the wider use of Douglas fir in this area, we have analyzed four mixed plantations of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Picea abies in the areas around Počivalnik and Stari vrh. For both tree species, we have evaluated various types of damages at the diameter classes. We have also analysed the density and height structure of P. menziesii saplings at different distances from the mother forest stand. We have verified that Douglas fir on the studied areas has been preserved in small stands and compared to Norway spruce, it showed a significantly higher resistance to ice storm and bark beetle outbreak. Its vitality is even better than that of Norway spruce. In favorable light conditions, natural regeneration is present, even more abundant than expected. Recorded damage of the regeneration is mostly due to herbivorous browsing.
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