Influence of pruning and the climatic conditions on acorn production in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) dehesas in SW Spain
- Title
- Influence of pruning and the climatic conditions on acorn production in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) dehesas in SW Spain
- Annals of Forest Science
- Creator
- Reyes Alejano
- Raúl Tapias
- Manuel Fernández
- Enrique Torres
- Joaquín Alaejos
- Juan Domingo
- Subject
- Acorn production
- Holm oak
- Masting
- Pruning
- Date
- 01/2008
- doi
- 10.1051/forest:2007092
- Abstract
-
Acorn production by Quercus ilex L. ssp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. in SW Spain was assessed, and variations between years and the influence
of pruning on it were examined. To this end, an experimental study was conducted at two different sites (Calañas and San Bartolomé, in the province
of Huelva) where trees were subjected to traditional (light, moderate or heavy) pruning and also to a new (crown-regeneration) pruning method. Acorn
yield was quantified over a period of 5 years in the Calañas plot and 4 in the San Bartolomé plot, and found to average at 95.61 ± 0.76 g DM/m2,
which is equivalent to 6.5 ± 0.05 kg DM/tree; however, yield figures varied markedly between years depending on the particular climatic conditions.
The average acorn production was correlated with the water potential in mid summer (end of July); the annual, spring and autumn rainfall; and the
actual evapotranspiration for the period from September (previous year) to August. No significant differences in acorn production between traditional
pruning intensities were detected; in fact, there were only hints that heavy pruning might result in decreased acorn yields. The new pruning method
used, crown-regeneration, seems promising with a view to increasing acorn yield; however, it should be tested on larger sample sizes before any final
conclusions can be drawn in this respect. Based on the results, the present health status of holm oaks in southwestern Spain (a result of sustained
decline) and the low value of firewood – which used to be a very important source of income from pruning a few decades ago –, the authors recommend
reducing the frequency and intensity of pruning in the dehesas of the study area. - volume
- 65
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 209-209
- short title
- Ann. For. Sci.
- Language
- en
- issn
- 1286-4560, 1297-966X
- Item sets
- Oaks, Chestnut trees, orchard