Partners and International Organizations
(English)
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AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, IE, IT, LT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, TR, UK
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Abstract
(English)
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Forest management has to find new ways to reduce costs for regeneration of old tree stands or re-establishment of damaged forests. Particularly conifer stands in the lower parts of Switzerland are very often not suited to the current site conditions. If climate change occurs as IPCC models predict, Norway spruce and Scots pine may not survive the next 40-80 years in these places. However, Norway spruce is still appreciated for its high economic value. An alternative is to plant valuable broadleaved tree species to produce high timber quality within a relatively short period of 60-80 years. Cherry and oak are among the most expensive timber in Europe. But planting trees means a high investment and a lot of manpower is needed within a short period in spring. The innovative direct seeding methods developed at SHL offer a rational way to initiate cherry regeneration within an extremely short time. To avoid high investment in machines, common agricultural equipment is tested with cherry pits to perform direct seeding in the forests. Within several series of trials, different technical aspects are tested and a new dispenser is developed to improve distribution patterns of seeds. The procedure is refined and extended to trials with oak seeds, the handling of which are not significantly more difficult.
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