This review aimed to determine the current state of research on the growth conditions and use pertaining to paulownia wood, mainly in European countries where paulownia has been introduced only relatively recently. Several studies carried out on Paulownia hybrids have shown significant differences in the growth dynamics of individual clones in their response to local environmental and climatic conditions. For example, dry biomass production yields in the second year of cultivation range from 1.5 t ha⁻¹ to as much as 14 t ha⁻¹. This diversity has manifested itself not only in growth characteristics but also in the properties of the wood and the possibilities for its use. Despite having clear similarities to the genus Paulownia, the cultivation of species and hybrids under different conditions has produced varying results. The best growing conditions for this wood (that make economic sense) are in the Middle East and Southern Europe. These regions have accumulated the most experience because of the earlier establishment of the crop. Today, paulownia cultivation is dominated by hybrids with selected traits that are propagated mainly in vitro. The most commonly planted hybrids include the clones in vitro 112, Cotevisa 2 and Shan Tong. The growth results and production capacity in central European countries are lower compared to Southern Europe. Experiments on paulownia cultivation are still relatively young, mainly consisting of replicating the cultivation of hybrids developed in Asia or Southern Europe. However, agronomic procedures are being developed and reactions to local climatic conditions are being studied. It is likely that, in the next few years, the profitability of growing paulownia in these regions will become apparent.

The allocation of wood density in trees depends on many factors, but mainly on the tree species. A great number of studies have analysed wood density in dominant or codominant trees, but only a few have focused on trees grown under canopy. We examined the basic wood density and fresh wood density of natural origin oaks growing under canopy of artificially planted Scots pine. The major purpose of the work was to study the wood density allocation in different parts of the trees such as the trunk and branches. From a total of 80 oaks we selected eight model trees and measured biometric features of their trunks and crowns. Wood samples from different parts of the trunk and crown were collected after the trees were felled. We observed significant differences between the average basic wood density (595 kg·m⁻³) and the average fresh wood density (1031 kg·m⁻³). The central part of the trunk and heartwood shows much higher density than the outer part of the trunk and sapwood, which corresponds to the model of ring-porous trees. Both types of wood density (basic and fresh) were also higher in the trunk than in the branches. The wood density of the branches differed between two zones: A1, which was closer to the trunk and had higher density; and A2, which was farther away from the trunk with lower density. Wood density shows positive correlation with crown length but not with crown width, which was more connected with diameter at breast height. We found lower value of slenderness than the value reported by other authors in oaks planted without canopy. The allocation of wood density in trees is associated with the potential mechanical load.

Introduction and Objectives: Holding determined body postures during work is connected with muscles activity. The more forced the posture, the larger the number of muscles taking an active part in holding and stabilizing the work posture. During logging, the greatest share of awkward (forced)...

This paper presents an analysis of policy application in Poland affecting landscape and forest management changes designed for an ecological restoration. “Ecological” policy was introduced in Poland in 1991 (Bill on Forests) and 1995-1999 (Decree 11 and 11A). To analyse the effectiveness of the policy and its impact on landscape change, the study uses five selected indicators: 1) species distribution, 2) methods of final felling, 3) forest functions in terms of protection and economic role, 4) cost structure and 5) wood production. The analysis shows that some of the ecological ideas were applied years before official documents were issued: species composition change, in favour of broadleaves has been carried out since 1945; since 1975, considerable growth in protective areas has been observed, doubling from 22.5 to 47.5% by 2006; timber resources have also grown by 50% in the last 35 years. After 1991, when the new policy was introduced, change in these indicators was more rapid. More direct and visible examples of policy applications in the last 15 years are observed in 1) the reduction of clearcuts: in 2005 this was at its lowest level in comparison with the previous 15 years and amounted to 19.9%; 2) the focus on protection: the cost of forest and fire protection in 2006 was the third largest expense in the State Forests budget, special attention was paid to reconstruction in order to increase water retention, 3) the afforestation process: this has doubled in intensity in the last decade compared with the previous decade. Nevertheless, organised landscape change is also accompanied by natural calamities, of which fires and windbreaks are most severe.