Analyses of spatial structure and selected measures of growth of Sorbus torminalis

Abstract: The subject of the study was a dynamic population of Sorbus torminalis resulting from spontaneous regeneration from seeds in northern Poland. The population, occupying a fenced plot of 1.72 ha in Forest Dis-trict Jamy, amounted to 579 individuals. The spatial structure of population and some basic individual traits of trees were recorded, then the growing space of individual trees was examined. The following measures of tree growing space were investigated: crown diameter and projection area, and tree volume. The spatial struc-ture of population was non-random, and there was evidence for effects of population density on tree perfor-mance. The observations have to be continued in order to describe optimal growing space of wild service tree; the results could be used to improve in situ conservation of this rare and valuable species. Additional key words: wild service tree, growing space, tree crown, in situ conservation, competitio