COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

The total stock volume of beech forests is 30,43 ,000 m 3 (overbark volume) or 90.41 m 3 /ha average for
all beech forests (but it can produce more than 10 m 3 /ha on good sites- rotation age 100 – 120 years)
and the annual net growth (increment) is 2.8 m 3 /ha on average. The total stock volume of beech
forest is about 50% of that of the total broadleaves or 21.1% of the total high forests. The wood
production of beech stands (high forests) is lower than that of fir (Abies spp.) and Norway spruce
(Picea abies). The above ground wood volume of 100-year-old beech stands (first site quality class)
can reach 660 m 3 .ha –1 , whereas that of fir is 1,200 m 3 .ha –1 and of spruce averaged at 1,160 m 3 .ha –1 . The
wood volume of coppice beech stands at age of 35 years (first site quality class) is calculated to 220
m 3 .ha –1 . The net mean annual increment of beech stands (high forests) is estimated to 3.4% (Ministry
of Agriculture 1992, 2000).
heaLTh sTaTus aNd ImPorTaNT dIseases aNd INsecTs,
GeNeraL coNdITIoN oF beech ForesTs, ThreaTs To beech
aNd ITs GeNeTIc resources, INdIcaTIoNs oF receNT cLImaTIc
ImPacTs oN The beech ForesTs
In general, beech stands are considered resistant to biotic attacks (fungi, insects, animals). The fungus
Phytophthora omnivora attacks young seedlings after germination, the fungus Nectria ditissima
causes cancers in the stems, whereas the fungi Polyporus igniarius and Fomes fomentarius can attack
the wood. Insect attacks are in general not harmful. Insects that may attack beech are Melolontha
vulgaris, Agrillus viridis, orchestes fagi. Early regeneration can suffer damages from mice, small and
large mammals. Beech stands can be damaged if directly exposed to sun radiation (bark-burning),
and may also suffer wind and snow damages. During the last 20 – 30 years, due to the reduction of
grazing pressure (mainly sheep and goats), beech forests are expanding and competing with other
species (e. g. oaks, chestnut, fir) particularly in cold and humid areas (usually in northern exposures)
in the high mountains.
The recent drought conditions (last 20 – 30 years) can cause die-back (after long dry summers) and
death of beech trees (medium age and old trees). However, the threat is still not serious since beech
is a very competitive species in cool and humid environments with deep soils. Furthermore, beech is
the most shade tolerant species in Greece and can grow in the understorey of other species (e. g. fir,
spruce) and is able to create mixed stands with conifers or pure beech stands depending upon site
conditions. Land use change is not a threat for beech, since it usually grows on high mountains where
human pressure is not so heavy. In contrast, most of the mountain villages and agricultural land
(farms, pastures) have been abandoned and taken over by forestry through natural afforestation.
FurTher ParTIcuLarITIes
In general, the beech forests in Greece produce low amount of technical wood (sawn timber) and
most of it is used for fuel wood, charcoal production or wood for industrial use (e. g. particle-board,
MDF, paper pulp) (Spanos 2010). To increase technical wood production there is a need to convert
all coppice and degraded stands into even-aged or uneven-aged seedling stands (high forests) aiming
at production of good quality and trunks free from branches. Conversion of all coppice stands into
high/seedling forests, well-planned cultivation (all stage thinnings), enrichment with conifers (e. g.
Abies spp., Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra, Pinus leucodermis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix
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