Due to high costs and lack of interest in tending of young forest consideration is needed how to reduce the tending costs and alternate the tending approach. This research was performed in beech thicket stage stands where we compared the standard thinning approach with minimal tending approach. On the slopes of Menina Mountain in total 8 research plots were established, 4 for each tending approach. All trees inside the plots were counted and estimated for tree species and stand layer. The tree marking and harvesting were done and a time study including assessment of work load with heart rate monitor was performed. Results show that the growth rates and crown depths of crop trees of other tree species are lower compared to European (Fagus sylvatica L.) beech. According to this study, minimal tending approach reduces the number of crop trees, total time required to mark and cut competitors and consumption of fuel and lubricant. Time required per competitor and work load were similar between the two tending approaches.
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