Buk zwyczajny (Fagus sylvatica L.) polskich proweniencji w doświadczeniu z 1993 roku w nadleśnictwach Oleszyce i Baligród

The study objective was to verify the hypothesis on ecotypic variation in beech and ineffectiveness of transferring its reproductive material over larger distances. Beech nuts were collected in the autumn of 1990. Experimental sites were established in the Baligród and Oleszyce forest districts (SE Poland). On single plots of 18.00×13.75 m (247.5 m2), a total of 110 three−years−old seedlings were planted in a 1.50×1.25 m spacing in autumn 1993. Single row of mountain ash was left between the plots. In the period of 1994−2016 a series of analyses was conducted concerning adaptation, growth, phenological and qualitative traits. Height was measured on all trees using a measuring stick, except for the year 2016, when hypsometer was used to measure approximately 20 heights and remaining ones were determined based on the height curve. Results were analysed using univariate analysis of variance based on the random model, followed by Duncan’s multiple range test for each experimental site and year of the study. For 2016 ordering of populations in each of the experimental sites was compared using Spearman’s rank correlation test. In terms of survival rates in Oleszyce site the local provenance from Oleszyce proved to be superior. In all the years of the measurements it was characterised by the highest survival rate. In this respect the Komańcza and Lutowiska provenances from the Bieszczady Mountains turned out to be the worst ones. In the experimental site in Baligród, the Barlinek and Połczyn provenances outranked the others in terms of their survival rates, while in 2016 it was the population from Komańcza. Tree height effects in Oleszyce site showed that the local population from Oleszyce grows best, while the Pomeranian population from Jamy was also exceptional. The Bieszczady populations (Komańcza and Lutowiska) are characterised by the worst growth traits. In the experimental site in Baligród, the local Baligród population is characterised by poorest growth, similarly to the other ones from the Bieszczady. In terms of growth, the Western Pomeranian population from Gryfino is exceptional. As far as all the evaluated traits are concerned the investigated populations exhibit considerable variability, as no geographic ordination could be found. It was confirmed that imported populations, even from long distances, may exceed local populations in terms of their adaptation traits and growth rates.