Long-term impact of selection cutting management on frequency of stem deformity in mixed beech forests, northern iran

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of selection cutting management on the stem quality of remaining trees in forest. For this purpose, three parcels managed for three decades by selection cutting as managed stand (MP), and two protected parcels without tree felling were selected as control stands (PP). First, the frequency of deformed stems in each parcel was determined through circular 1000 m2 area of each plot by systematic sampling of 100 m × 100 m grid dimensions, then stem deformity index was estimated for each of the deformed stems. Results showed that the frequency of stem deformity in the MP (6.5%) was significantly lower than the PP (20.7%) (p