Condition and growing peculiarities of larch plantations in Kaunas lagoon protective plantations

Studies were carried out in 32 temporal sample plots in larch stands of Kaunas Lagoon protective plantations of Dubrava Experimental and Training Forest Enterprise. 4 species of larches were identified: European, Polish, Russian, Siberian larch. Polish larch is characterized by best growth in 55 years of age, in habitat Nc. Its average diameter is 40,6 cm, height – 30,5 m., while diameter of Russian larch is 26,4, its height is 23,7 m, diameter of Siberian larch is 22,5 cm, height – 22,7 m. Volume of larch forests, when level of stocking is 0,7–0,8, is the following: Polish 420 m3/ha, European 380m3/ha, Russian 320 m3/ha, and Siberian 320 m3/ha. The best drop of branches is of Polish larch, and worst – of Russian larch. The straightest (straight and very straight) are European (38,3 %) and Russian larch (33,1 %) stands. The lowest average defoliation is in Polish (7,6 %), and the highest is in Russian (16,9 %) larch stands. While speaking about fructification of larches in 2013, it should be noted that Polish larch was characterized by best, and Russian larch – by worst fructification. A large part of larch stands is of very good and good sanitary condition, while 10 – 15 % is of satisfactory and poor condition. European and Polish larch stands are of best sanitary condition, while Siberian ones – of worst sanitary condition. It is recommended growing only Polish and European larchesVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij