Comparative growth characteristics of Karelian scots pine in conditions of Moscow region

Results of the study on the growth features of Karelian Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) planted together with geographical cultures of Moscow region are presented. The culture in focus was developed on the territory of Karelia in 1948, and by the time of its study it reached the age of 65 years. Two provenances from Moscow and Vladimir regions were chosen for comparative study. It was found out that Karelian species significantly differ from the local ones in the character of growth. They succumb to Moscow and Vladimir species in the average height but exceed them in diameter. Plantations of Karelian trees lead in total growth and, unlike local provenances, have no dead wood. At the same time, the survival rate among trees brought from Karelia was much lower when compared to the survival rate of the species from Moscow area. Significant differences in growth characteristics of Karelian stock are conditioned by the wide natural thinning inherent to plantations of Karelian origin. However, according to the size of the stems, the growing stock of Karelian origin was not inferior to the local stock. It was concluded that Karelian Scots Pine can be successfully grown on the territory of Moscow regions despite considerable remoteness of the region from the origin of seeds.