Effect of early formative shaping on newly planted broadleaves - Part 1: Quality.

Abstract

Formative shaping for quality was applied to 1,380 trees, commencing during the second growing season after planting. A similar number was kept as a control. The purpose of this trial was to assess the effect, if any, of formative shaping on early stem quality, height and diameter growth. Over a 4- year period, trees were assessed for quality annually after leaf-fall, using a standardised ranking system. This paper (Part 1) describes the effect of formative shaping on the quality of eight species included in the trial: common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.); common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.); cherry (Prunus avium L.); pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.); sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.); sessile oak (Q. petraea (Mattuschka) Lieblein); sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.); and common walnut (Juglans regia L.). Overall, quality among trees of all eight species was improved by formative shaping. Part 2 describes the effect of formative shaping on height and diameter growth.