Development of beeted seedlings in three <i>Picea abies</i> (L) karst. stands

Abstract

Development in height, diameter and basal area was studied for beeted and for originally planted Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings. The study was carried out as a survey in three unthinned stands in southern Sweden. Beeted seedlings were separated from those originally planted by differences observed in the number of annual rings at stump height. In all stands height and diameter were smaller and growth rates in height and basal area were lower for beeted than for originally planted seedlings. The lower growth rates for beeted seedlings may be explained as effects of inter‐tree competition. The oldest stand was thinned at the time of inventory. 40% of the thinned trees were beeted representing 18% of the thinned volume.