Morphological characteristics of some broad leaves forest seedlings in ordu forest organization ecological conditions and evaluation by TSE

Abstract: Primary activities in Turkish forestry consists of silvicultural practices such as afforestation, artificial rejuvenation, and rehabilitation. The quality and characteristics of the saplings that will be used as production materials play a key role in the success of these activities. Therefore, it is important to determine the quality characteristics of the saplings grown in mass sapling productions in existing state forest nurseries. This study is conducted to determine the morphological characteristics (sapling height (FB), diameter of root collar (KBÇ), index of robustness (Gİ), and number of branches (DS)) of hornbeam (3+0), mountain maple (2+0), and oriental beech (1+0) barerooted saplings grown in Ordu Forest Nursery and to evaluate them according to TSI standards. In the correlation analysis for the morphological characteristics of the research object species, there were positive and strong associations between FB and KBÇ for eastern beech (r=0,8606), mountain maple (r=0,8506), and common hornbeam (r= r=0,636). While r=6362 value between DS and FB was determined for common hornbeam, a positive DS and FB association without a strong correlation was detected for eastern beech and mountain maple saplings. According to TSI standards, only 40% of 1 + 0 aged oriental beech saplings, 75.5% of 2 + 0 aged mountain maple saplings and 63.3% of 3 + 0 aged hornbeam saplings were found to be 1st class saplings. As a result, it was concluded that the sowing method of "Full Area Spreading" used in the production of these seedlings is not suitable for seedling quality.