Site and silvicultural characteristics of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) in Bolu region

Distributed in Turkey and Europe, wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a fast-growing tree species with high economic (i.e. timber and fruit), ecologic (i.e. wildlife and biodiversity) and socio-cultural values. In order to shed light on the site and silvicultural characteristics that are effective in the natural distribution of wild cherry, this thesis study was carried out in 12 Forest Management Chiefships under Bolu and Aladağ Forest Management Directorates within Bolu Forest Regional Directorate between 2014-2019. 444 wild cherry individuals were determined at 126 points in the study area. In order to determine site characteristics, soil profiles were taken from 18 points in four aspects across five elevations with wild cherry. By examining the areas where wild cherry individuals were found, various ecological (aspect, height, slope, soil characteristics) and silvicultural characteristics (canopy closure, stand density, species composition, diameter at breast height, he,ght, stand basal area) of this species have been determined by defining the habitats of this species. It was determined that wild cherry individuals with the highest mean diameter at breast height and height were found in the south (sunny) aspects and between 750-1000 m elevations. The greatest stand densities (basal area) with wild cherry occurred on northern aspects. Standardized diameter / age data showed that at least one of the group averages was different from the others and the mean standardized diameter / age value in the south aspects was significantly different from the other three aspects. Wild cherry individuals had the highest presence on slopes (3-36%), in middle slopes, on quartzite bedrock, in terms of absolute and physiological soil depth, in medium-deep soils. In general, although it shows "scattered mixture" in the stand, it has rarely been found to be in "group mixture". With increasing elevation, wild cherry was found to be mixed with shade-tolerant trees (especially fir) more. Wild cherry was found to be growing more in weak acid soils (pH = 5.5-6.5) in terms of soil reaction.