Forest characteristics and forest types
Forest area in the Czech Republic covers about 34% of the country’s territory.
The Czech Republic is one of the smaller European countries. Nevertheless, it has a great variety of natural resources including quite diverse and rich forest biocenosis. Diversity of sites along with the geographical position of the country, situated at the crossroads of several phytogeographical areas, resulted in the creation of a wide range of plant associations including naturally predominant forests.
Forest changes in the past
Forests in the Czech Republic changed considerably during the settlement period and later on during the industrial revolution. Forests also changed significantly because of human intervention. Because of the increasing demand for timber consumption forests needed to be protected by special laws. Theresian Forest Orders (1754) provided for the first time the framework for sustainable forest management. Species composition and distribution of Czech forests altered in the past in an effort to increase timber production and satisfy the demand for the most frequently required tree species (spruce, pine). Coniferous species now dominate in forest stands structure.
The Czech Republic is one of the smaller European countries. Nevertheless, it has a great variety of natural resources including quite diverse and rich forest biocenosis. Diversity of sites along with the geographical position of the country, situated at the crossroads of several phytogeographical areas, resulted in the creation of a wide range of plant associations including naturally predominant forests.
Forest changes in the past
Forests in the Czech Republic changed considerably during the settlement period and later on during the industrial revolution. Forests also changed significantly because of human intervention. Because of the increasing demand for timber consumption forests needed to be protected by special laws. Theresian Forest Orders (1754) provided for the first time the framework for sustainable forest management. Species composition and distribution of Czech forests altered in the past in an effort to increase timber production and satisfy the demand for the most frequently required tree species (spruce, pine). Coniferous species now dominate in forest stands structure.
According to 2009 statistic data the current share of conifers accounts for 76 % of the forests, while broadleaved species account for 24 %.
Natural share: status before settlement (several thousands years ago);
Recommended share – scientifically based on sustainable management ensuring community demand, economical benefit and ecological necessity.
Natural share: status before settlement (several thousands years ago);
Recommended share – scientifically based on sustainable management ensuring community demand, economical benefit and ecological necessity.
Regarding altitude zones, basic characteristics of forest stands can be distributed as follows:
Main tree species and conditions suitable for tree growth
In general, fertile sites, especially of limestone and basalt, are not suitable for conifers as they often suffer with decay
Spruce (Picea abies)
- At 1050 m above sea level we can find climax mountain spruce stands
- At 400 – 1050 m above sea level we can find mixed stands with soil improving species, especially beech and larch. At this altitude spruce prefers acidic sites.
- At 600 -900 m above sea level we have optimum wood production
Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
- Up to 500 m above sea level, on sandy acidic soil sites, we can find pine trees
Beech (Fagus silvatica)
- Up to 1050 m above sea level, the area is covered by beach trees which prefer fertile sites.
- At 550 -900 m above sea level we have the optimum wood production
Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
- it grows in riparian forests and on stands enriched with water
Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
- it grows in uplands up to 550 m above sea level, usually accompanied with hornbeam, linden, pine.
Other tree species in Czech forests:
Conifers: fir, larch, introduced Douglas fir
Broadleaved species: ash, maple, hornbeam, birch, aspen, linden, alder, poplar, willow
The most important commercial timber tree species in the Czech Republic are Norway spruce,
Scots pine, European beech, Sessile oak.
The most valuable wood is the so called resonance wood for musical instruments construction. The source of this material for musical instruments construction deriving from quality Norway spruce stands from mountain areas with slow increment
In general, fertile sites, especially of limestone and basalt, are not suitable for conifers as they often suffer with decay
Spruce (Picea abies)
- At 1050 m above sea level we can find climax mountain spruce stands
- At 400 – 1050 m above sea level we can find mixed stands with soil improving species, especially beech and larch. At this altitude spruce prefers acidic sites.
- At 600 -900 m above sea level we have optimum wood production
Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
- Up to 500 m above sea level, on sandy acidic soil sites, we can find pine trees
Beech (Fagus silvatica)
- Up to 1050 m above sea level, the area is covered by beach trees which prefer fertile sites.
- At 550 -900 m above sea level we have the optimum wood production
Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
- it grows in riparian forests and on stands enriched with water
Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
- it grows in uplands up to 550 m above sea level, usually accompanied with hornbeam, linden, pine.
Other tree species in Czech forests:
Conifers: fir, larch, introduced Douglas fir
Broadleaved species: ash, maple, hornbeam, birch, aspen, linden, alder, poplar, willow
The most important commercial timber tree species in the Czech Republic are Norway spruce,
Scots pine, European beech, Sessile oak.
The most valuable wood is the so called resonance wood for musical instruments construction. The source of this material for musical instruments construction deriving from quality Norway spruce stands from mountain areas with slow increment