COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

TreaTmeNT oF beech
In forest with a production function there is a need to implement different silvicultural treatments
such as cleaning, thinning, and harvesting. Treatment methods for different forest types and different
management practices vary according to the purpose of the forest.
In Albanian forests, the practice of successive felling and cutting with clearcuts have proved
most successful and have guaranteed forest production continuity as well as the development of
regeneration which has protected forest land from erosion.
Experiments with cutting in horizontal and vertical belts or with clearcuts have been also undertaken.
These treatment methods with cutting have always been carried out in consideration with specific
biological characteristics such as the actual forest stands structure as well as the orographic and
climatic conditions where the forest stands are located. So for European beech forests in Albania
successive cutting with clearfelling are carried out. Beech usually has good natural regeneration
capacity especially in stands over 100 – 120 years.
For forest stands in first production class that are over 80 years of age, it is the practice to manage
with three intervention cuttings and in some special cases with only two intervention cuttings.
These cuttings are always made with a view to secure new natural regeneration in the forest. Seeds
cutting intensity has varied from 25 to 35% of parcel or sub parcel volume. Light cutting intensity
and definitive cutting are undertaken in relation to conditions of regeneration and development
of seedling after seed cutting. In cases where amount of seedling are high and are distributed in
a evenly, then a final cutting to allow light into the stand may be undertaken. Generally the natural
regeneration period for beech is five to ten years. Final cutting is applied when seedling have reached
30 – 80 cm high and have a density 3 – 5 seedlings for m2 with even distribution over the entire
surface of the forest stands.
In the mixed forests with beech and conifers (pine, fir), preferences are given to conifers during
applied treatment methods, because conifers are considered more valuable.
The data from different studies combined with some general calculations on wood production and
presented as the annual harvesting possibility for forests in Albania is estimated at over 1,520,000 m3 ,
from which 4 ,000 m3 are commercial timber and 3,000 m3 are firewood.
More wood is harvested from beech forests as beech forests cover 43% of total forest. It should
also be noted that in general many beech forests are used for the collection of firewood as well as
foliage and leaves as fodder for animals, as well as for the collection of non-wood forest products
such as mushrooms, medical plants, etc. In the last years, the country also implemented a major
improvement in a decentralization process. About 40% of the forests in Albania are now the property
of local government to be managed and to produce profit.
GeNeTIc reserves oF euroPeaN beech IN aLbaNIa
Two main methods for conservation of genetic resources are used: in situ conservation (conservation
in natural stands) and ex situ conservation.
In situ conservation is realized through Nature strict reserves, National forest parks and Nature biomonuments,
Nature integrated reserve (NRI); while with the second method (ex situ), it is achieved
through the establishment of gene banks, fields collections, or seedbed gardens. Apart from the above
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