The growth and composition of natural stands of birch

SummaryAt Holme Fen Nature Reserve, two sample trees were felled in each of nine, natural birch stands representing an age series of from 6 to 55 years. Data are given of the weights of leaves, branches, boles and in some cases of roots for the sample trees and the growing stock. Estimates of the gross production of dry matter by birch are given after allowing for the death of suppressed trees and leaf falletc. Attention is drawn to the fundamental differences between the productive capacities of natural birch stands and plantations of evergreen conifers such asPinus sylvestris.