Natural Regeneration of Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Stands Using Small Scale Shelterwood System

A number of practical examples of small scale natural regeneration of common beech were investigated in the period 2006–2010. In Croatia, the research area consisted of forest administrations of Zagreb, Koprivnica, Karlovac, Plitvice Lakes National Park and umberak – Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park, and outside Croatia it included Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Slovenia (Fig. 1). This paper presents the results of research into small scale regeneration of common beech in the form of groups (Fig. 2, Table 1), using the example of a Dinaric montane beech forest (as. Lamio orvalae-Fagetum /Ht. 1938/ Borhidi 1963) and small-stand regeneration, using the example of a beech forest with sedge (as. Carici pilosae-Fagetum Oberforfer 1957).Natural regeneration in virgin beech stands begins in the form of clusters and groups (Fig. 3 and 4, Table 2). This regeneration method can be applied in special purpose forests and in protection forests, since it forms structurally diverse stands that will satisfy non-market forest goods and services of these forests. It is also suitable for private forest owners because not only does it enable the concentration of treatments in small areas, but also allows the planning of a continuous yield.Small scale regeneration with shelterwood cuts in large complexes of managed forests is both possible and desirable. Regeneration over small areas at the level of small (1–3 ha) and medium (3–5 ha) stands has proven successful (Fig. 5, Table 3).Compared with classical regular management over large areas, small scale management is a closer-to-nature and more intensive management method. It requires the construction of a silvicultural plan that contains a map of initial regeneration gaps and directions of its expansion. Silvicultural treatments are applied simultaneously, but in different parts of the regeneration area. This type of management alleviates the application and supervision of silvicultural treatments and enables long-term and continuous planning of the felling cut.