COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

characTerIsTIcs aNd ForesT maNaGemeNT
Beech is found in different types of forests, the most common are beech and oak-beech forests in the
plains (Carpino betuli-Fagenalia and Quercelia roboris), beech and fir-beech forests in the mountains
(Fagenalia sylvaticae and Acerion pseudoplatani).
The main silvicultural management is high forest (65%) followed by high forest with standard (26%)
and coppice (9%) (Tab. 1).
Tab. 1: Silvicultural management for the beech forests in France
92
Silviculture Surface %
High forest 904,800 ha 65
High forest with standard 361,920 ha 26
Coppice 125,280 ha 9
The wood prices (Tab. 2) range from 3 €/m 3 to more than 1 5 €/m 3 therefore quality is a high priority
but the best qualities (A and B) represent only 16.4% (Tab. 3). Several factors account for this low
percentage: high forests are too dense, pathological problems, defaults like nodes, etc.
Tab. 2: Beech wood prices in France in June 2008 (Anonymous 2008)
Quality Length (m) Diameter (cm) Wood price (€/m3 )
A 3 55 and more 175 and more
B 3 50 and more 35 – 123
B 2.5 45 and more 72 – 110
C 3 45 and more 30 – 40
C 2 35 and more 15 – 25
C 1.5 35 and more 16 – 20
D 1.8 30 and more 12 – 17
D 1.5 30 and more 3 – 7
Tab. 3: Volume and price of beech wood sold in Lorraine according to quality during the period 1994 – 1996
(BASTIEN, HEIN, CHAVANE 2005)
Quality Percentage Price
A 0.6 323 €/m3 B 15.8 168 €/m3 C 48.1 81 €/m3 D 35.5 38 €/m3 In order to increase the production of wood of good quality, silvicultural norms are evolving. The
foresters are reducing cycle and density and are trying to promote mixed stand (up to 20%) with
maple, oak, fir, wild cherry, wild service tree, etc.