Influence of Bramble (Rubus fructicosus L.) Cover on Survival and Growth of Beech (Fagus orientalis) Seedlings During the Second Year of Plantation

Effect of bramble (Rubus fructicosus L.) on some characteristics of oriental beech (Fagus orientulis
Lipsky) seedlings was studied in a 700m2 canopy gap of beech stand, located in the north of Iran. For
this purpose, in the center of the gap, two treatments with 3-year-old man-made seedlings were
examined at four replications. In each replication, 36 seedlings were planted with 50cm x 50cm
spacing . In one treatment, removal of bramble and at the other one, keeping of bramble (control) was
conducted. The results, at the end of the second growing season (after plantation) revealed that
seedling survival was greater in control (71%) than in bramble-cut area (46%). Shoot growth was not
statistically different in the two treatments (22.0 em and 23.4 em, respectively). Vitality was affected
by the treatments where near to 80% and 60% of seedlings, respectively with bramble and without
bramble, were in moderate to good condition while the rest were slightly to severely paled .
Generally, it can be deduced that in the relatively-opened canopy of beech stands, during the 2nd
year of plantation, survival as well as vitality and shoot growth are not declined under bramble cover.
In case of obtaining similar results, through repetition of such investigations in different beech
stands, avoidance of practice of bramble cleaning during the first two years can be recommended,
and the costs thus avoided .