Selection of tree species for the substitution of poplar plantations along the river Drava near Osijek

U radu su prikazani rezultati istraživanja preživljenja i rasta nekih vrsta drveća kojima bi se u slučaju potrebe mogla obaviti zamjena topola u nasadima. Pokus je postavljen na području Šumarije Valpovo, u Gospodarskoj jedinici Valpovačke podravske šume, šumski predjel Topolje, odsjek 23a. Taj lokalitet predstavlja tipičan primjer slabog uspijevanja i odumiranja nasada topola, čak i nakon višekratnih popunjavanja sadnicama topole i njege. Pokus je postavljen po shemi slučajno-bloknog rasporeda, sa šest tretiranja u četiri bloka. Tretirani su sljedeći sastojinski oblici: A – hrast lužnjak, B – poljski jasen, C – bagrem, D – hrast lužnjak s običnim grabom, E – divlja trešnja s poljskim jasenom i F – divlja trešnja s običnim grabom. Pokus je postavljen 18. studenog 2009. godine. Preživljenje biljaka je utvrđeno svake godine tijekom petogodišnjeg praćenja pokusa. Tijekom zime 2015. godine izmjerene su visine svih stabala te je određen prostorni položaj živih i odumrlih jedinki po plohicama. S obzirom na preživljenje i visine kao indikatore rasta i razvoja biljaka, najbolje su rezultate pokazali redom obični bagrem, poljski jasen i hrast lužnjak. Najlošije rezultate postigli su divlja trešnja i obični grab. S obzirom na mikroreljef, najbolje preživljenje je pokazao obični bagrem koji podjednako dobro raste u nizi i na gredi. Poljski jasen i hrast lužnjak bolje preživljenje imaju u nizi. Divlja trešnja i obični grab imaju općenito loše preživljenje, neovisno o mikroreljefu. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su kako je nasade topola u promijenjenim stanišnim prilikama nakon višekratnih ophodnji moguće zamijeniti sa sastojinom koja svojim sastojinskim oblikom odgovara terminalnoj šumskoj zajednici istraživanoga podučja – veza i poljskog jasena s hrastom lužnjakom (Fraxino-Ulmetum laevis Slavnić 1952). Postupku treba prethoditi izrada detaljnog šumskouzgojnog plana, koji bi između ostalog definirao područja niza i greda u određenom odjelu. Nize i vlažne grede treba prepustiti poljskom jasenu koji je pokazao vrlo dobre rezultate u pokusu. Hrast lužnjak je pokazao zavidnu stabilnost i vitalitet, pa ga treba upotrebljavati u smjesi s poljskim jasenom. Obični bagrem preporuča se za najsuše lokalitete s pjeskovitim tlima koja su naglo ostala bez podzemne i poplavne vode, na kojima nema uvjeta za nastavak uzgajanja topola.The paper presents the results of research on the survival and growth of several tree species which could be used to replace poplars in plantations if necessary. The experiment was established in the area of Valpovo Forest Office, in the Management Unit of Valpovačke Podravske Šume, forest area of Topolje, sub-compartment 23a. This locality is a typical example of poor growth and dieback of poplar plantations even after multiple restocking with poplar seedlings and tending. The experiment was set up according to the randomized block design, with six treatments in four blocks. The following stand forms were treated: A - pedunculate oak, B - narrow-leaved ash, C - black locust, D - pedunculate oak with common hornbeam, E - wild cherry with narrow-leaved ash, and F - wild cherry with common hornbeam. The experiment was established on November 18, 2000. Plant survival was recorded every year over a five-year trial monitoring period. During the winter of 2015, the height of all the trees was measured and the spatial position of live and dead individuals per subplot was determined. In terms of survival and height as indicators of plant growth and development, the best results were manifested by black locust, followed by narrow-leaved ash and pedunculate oak. The poorest results were achieved by wild cherry and common hornbeam. With regard to the micro-relief, the best survival was displayed by black locust, which grows equally well both in unsoaked micro depressions (niza) and on micro elevations (greda). Narrow-leaved ash and pedunculate oak survived better in micro-depressions. In general, wild cherry and common hornbeam showed poor survival irrespectively of the micro-relief. Research results confirm the hypothesis regarding the need to replace or substitute poplar plantations under changed site conditions towards a stand whose stand form is adequately suited to the terminal forest community of the study area - spreading elm and narrow-leaved ash with pedunculate oak (Fraxino-Ulmetum laevis Slavnić 1952). The procedure should be preceded by a detailed forest management plan which would, among other things, define the areas of micro-depressions and micro-elevations in a particular compartment. Micro-depressions and wet micro-elevations should be reserved for narrow-leaved ash, which showed very good results in the trial. Pedunculate oak displayed very good stability and vitality and should therefore be used in a mixture with narrow-leaved ash. Black locust proved to be suitable in all conditions, but it is recommended to use it over the driest and sandy soils which have abruptly remained without ground and floodwater