Douglas-fir – partial substitution for declining conifer timber supply – Review of Czech data
The decrease is supposed of the coniferous assortments supply due to running changes of tree species composition in the Czech forests as well as due to the environmental changes in the next decades. The Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) is the most endangered species. The year timber supply decrease of this species is supposed in an extent of 0.9 mil.m3 in the next two decades (2013 – 2032) and more than 1 mil. m3 for all conifers. Cultivation of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii /Mirb./ Franco) can substitute N. spruce on specific sites and so eliminate partially the timber supply decline in the future. The cultivation of Douglas-fir could lead to increase of the plantation area from 5,800 ha (today) to the extent of 49,616 – 163,713 ha respecting legislative restrictions and recommendations of general management plans. This can represent increased timber increment of 300,000 – 650,000 m3 per year and substantially mitigate the coniferous timber supply fall in the next decades.