The causes of the decline of silver fir across Europe in the 1960s and 1970s and its subsequent recovery remain open to debate. We studied the radial growth of silver fir and possible influential factors on growth decline in uneven-aged silver fir–Norway spruce–European beech forests in the Dinaric Mountains of Croatia (180 000 ha) since 1900 using dendrochronological methods. Data on the radial growth of large firs (diameter at breast height > 50 cm) sampled in 2002 across the region (151 plots, 491 m² each), regional climatic data (temperature, precipitation and drought) and SO₂ emissions were used in both statistical and dynamic factor analyses. Two main growth patterns of fir trees were identified: the first features a sharp decline in radial growth in the period 1966–1983, followed by a dramatic recovery, while the second is characterized by a relatively constant increase in radial growth. The most influential climatic factors were mean monthly temperatures in February, July and August; mean precipitation in May and September; and summer drought. However, SO₂ emissions explained a larger part of the total variability of radial growth than climatic factors (46–60 per cent and 0–42 per cent, respectively). The growth recovery of silver fir supports further application of uneven-aged silviculture in the region.

Out of the 901,848 ha forests of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Croatia, 383,473 ha are even-aged beech forests with irregular age-class structure. Potential forest management of the even-aged beech forests (including the conversion of coppice even-aged beech forests) was studied using a dynamic model system, in the context of long-term planning at the national level in Croatia. Three management policy scenarios were defined regarding the area control method, that is, planned area for annual regeneration felling was given as a function of (1) total forest area (conservative approach scenario–CAS), (2) area of stands older than 50 years (moderate approach scenario–MAS), and (3) area of stands older than 80 years (intensive approach scenario–IAS). Projections of future trends in the annual area of regeneration, age-class distribution, standing volume and annual felling, and thinning cut were obtained for each scenario. Management according to the Scenario 3 would lead to achievement of a best age-class balancing and more sustainable management in the next 50 years. The structure of the growing stock and the quality of harvested timber would also improve as a result of this approach. Intensive regeneration felling (4460 ha per year) and conversion of coppice forests (420 ha per year) is required to reach this goal.