Effects of artificial tending on growth of Quercus liaotungensis at different altitudinal gradient

By taking Quercus liaotungensis Koidz artificial forest in Lushan Forest Farm of Zibo city as the studied object, the effects of artificial tending on the growth of Q. liaotungensis at different altitudinal gradient were studied. The results of forest growth show that after 4 years artificial cultivating, the average DBH increments of Q. liaotungensis plantations at high altitude(average altitude 1055 m), middle altitude(average altitude 856 m), and low altitude(average altitude 666 m) were 1.67, 2.36 and 1.03 cm, respectively; the average tree height increments at high altitude, middle altitude, and low altitude were 1.84, 2.54 and 0.99 m, respectively; in addition, the average individual volume increments at high altitude, middle altitude, and low altitude were 0.041 5, 0.067 5 and 0.021 9 m3, respectively. Compared with high altitude and low altitude forests, the artificial cultivating measure greatly promoted the forest at middle altitude. The findings will provide the scientific basis for introduction and extension of Q. liaotungensis artificial forest in mountainous area at the middle part of Shandong province.