Author/Authors :
Shekholeslami، Ali نويسنده Department of forestry, Islamic Azad University, Chalous Branch, Chalous, Iran Shekholeslami, Ali , Kazemnezhad، Farid نويسنده Department of forestry, Islamic Azad University, Chalous Branch, Chalous, Iran Kazemnezhad, Farid , Akhshabi، Saied نويسنده Msc. Student, Islamic Azad University, Chalous Branch, Forestry Department, Iran Akhshabi, Saied
Abstract :
In 2008, various aspects of the tree stem profile were measured and 200 bark samples removed from 55 individual stems of beech species at Tosakoti sites in Mazandaran provinces in the north of Iran in the Hyrcanian forest. Hyrcanian forests are located at green strip extending over the northern slopes of Alborz range of mountains and the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea. Bark thickness was measured from each stem with bark gauges at 6 different relative heights. The measured stem variables used in this study are diameter over bark at relative heights 1, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90%; bark thickness at the same relative heights; diameter over bark at breast height; bark thickness at breast height; tree height; tree age. In this study, bark amount is expressed either as double bark thickness or as the proportion of over bark diameter or volume. Percent of bark volume of beech trees is about 6.04% of tree volume. Average double bark thickness was greatest at the base (1% relative height) 18 mm and decreased uniformly towards the top (90% relative height) 8 mm. Bark proportion (from the diameter) decreased from the base to the 20% relative height being 4% at its minimum. After that the bark proportion increased first slowly then rapidly being finally 10% at a relative height of 90%. The general form of bark curves at different breast height diameter classes is highly similar and therefore we can assume that the general form of a bark curve does not depend on tree size.
