Proportion of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the total growing stock of forest stands in Slovenia is decreasing. Therefore the knowledge on growth characteristics of silver fir is crucial for its appropriate treatment in forest management. Diameter growth of silver fir was analyzed with the data from permanent sampling plots in 73 forest management units (42,265 silver firs). Mean annual diameter increment in the study area was 3.43 0.25 mm; its variability was significant (CV = 75 %). Multivariate analysis showed significant influence of social class, forest stand basal area, proportion of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the forest stand, the developmental phase and forest site stratum on the diameter increment of silver fir. A silver fir forest stand growth model with regard to various stand densities was calculated. In the discussion, the applicability and importance of the results for future forest management with silver fir were evaluated.
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