Study on growth performance of Turkish pine (Case study: Arabdagh afforestation plan, Golestan province)

This research was carried out in parcel 15 of the first district  of Arabdagh afforestation plan to study the growth performance of 17- year old  Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) plantations (ca. 63 ha and 2×3 m  spacing). Sixty three sample plots were selected as random-systematic design. Within each plots, DBH, Total Height (TH), form factor, natural regeneration, stem form, crown vitality, stem health, mode of branching, stem straightness and crown symmetry were recorded. Computation of Dominant Height (DH), mean height and DBH, Basal Area (BA), height/DBH ratio, Total Volume (TV) and Mean Annual Increment of Volume (MAIV) and analysis of variable correlations were performed. Results showed that Arabdagh plantation had greater DBH and BA (14 vs. 13.7 cm and 27/983 vs. 24 m²/ha respectively) and less DH, mean height, TV and MIAV than the good sites of Turkish pine plantations in the country of origin with same age and plantation density which generally located between good and medium site conditions for Turkish pine plantation. Therefore regions with same ecological conditions can be considered as suitable sites for Turkish pine plantation.