EUROPEAN ASH HEALTH CONDITION IN THE FOREST-STEPPE PART OF SUMY REGION

Abstract

Average health condition index of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in inspected stands of the State Enterprise “Trostyanetske Forest Economy” is 2 points. European ash mortality was the highest in Krasnyanske forestry (0.8 % and 3.5 % of recently died trees and the trees died over a year ago respectively). The highest proportion of healthy European ash trees were inspected in Makivske and Krasnyanske forestries (85.3 % and 50.1 % respectively). The trees of European ash of the 1st category of health condition can be reliably distinguished from the trees of other categories of health condition. A total score of “0” for all parameters of health condition (defoliation, dieback, and epicormic shoots occurrence) reliably points the healthy tree. The trees can be assigned to the 1st category of health condition with defoliation, caused by insects, up to 50 %, with up to 10 % dry branches and single epicormic shoots. Multiple epicormic shoots are characteristic for the trees of the 3rd category of health condition. Ambiguous results in distinguishing of European ash trees of the 2nd and the 3rd, the 3rd and the 4th categories of health condition confirm the need for improvement of its assessment and annual monitoring the forest health at key plots.