Relationship between morphological characteristics of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and delimbing time in some areas of Eastern Trento Province

Abstract

A trial was carried out in the Foreste Demaniali of Cavalese and Primiero (Trento Province - North Italy) to verify a relationship between morphological characteristics of Norway spruce and delimbing time with the aim of identifing one or more parameters through which to classify the trees on the basis of their branchiness and therefore of the delimbing time. The data collected have permitted to define two parameters: breast height diameter and relative height, i.e. the ratio between the observed tree height and the average height of all the trees in the stump area. A correlation between such parameters and the delimbing time could allow some preliminary analysis in areas similar to the ones considered in the study. Such analysis can be addressed to the calculation of incentives to be considered in the salary of workers employed for cutting.