We conducted the study in the Rajhenavski Rog forest reserve, an old-growth beechfir dominated stand, and adjacent managed stands in the Dinaric mountain region located in the south-eastern part of Slovenia. From 2000-2002, we measured radiation and branching type of 1953 dominant beech seedlings on 531 plots established in gaps and locations under the canopy. The results showed that in gaps larger than 500 m2, radiation levels were higher and more variable in the managed forest. While light conditions significantly influenced beech seedling architecture, no major differences were found between the managed and old-growth forest. The probability of broom shaped beech seedling tops increased, while the probability of plagiotropic branchingdecreased with increasing radiation. In all cases around 40 % of seedlings showed undesirable branching types, which should leave enough quality seedlings for normal development of a high-quality stand. With this inmind, we can say that selective management in beech-fir forests, if practiced intensively and with special care for young beech trees with desirable architecture, can provide good economical results and high quality beech timber.
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