Chances and Limitations of Mixed Oak Regeneration under Continuous Canopy Cover—Evidence from Long-Term Observations

Traditionally, due to its light ecology, oak is regenerated on clear cuts or areas where the crown coverage heavily reduced. Thus, regeneration phase relatively short. Recently, selective long-term phases avoiding large gaps in canopy but fostering mixed-species stands have been advocated as being more keeping with close-to-nature forestry Central European forests. However, examples of successful mixtures following this type are largely missing. Here, we report results experiments located three different forest types, was under mixing and cover situations. The observation periods reached from 26 36 years. We focused dynamics stem number reduction, well height biomass development oaks their interaction interspecific competition density. probability occurring basically decreased over duration period. Despite this, considerable growth could be observed, especially case lower standing volume mature stand. beech main competitor scarcely slowed down by compared oak. Increasing noticeably impeded considered mixed stands. model suggest that a reduction within lowering proportion below 30% enhanced success long run even small patches. productivity remaining stand primarily driven volume. negative trend emerged high biomasses. study show small-scale prolonged possible principle. requires active continuous silvicultural assistance, which has adjusted specific site conditions.