The aim of this study was to identify the influence of forest thinning methods on bark stripping damage caused by red deer. It was assumed that spruce stem bark damage would be higher in stands with target trees only than in stands including other non-target (sunken) spruce trees. In the ten-year-old spruce stands four types of thinning were performed (positive, negative, schematic and conical). All tested thinning methods provided attractive refuge for red deer during winter season. The differences in bark stripping damage intensity clearly proved that the presence of indifferent trees in the stand significantly reduces target tree damage. Indifferent trees growing in close proximity to a target tree significantly reduced the risk of bark stripping damage by red deer. Presence of indifferent trees in tested stands had low influence on target trees growth. We recommend leaving of indifferent (sunken) trees in stands endangered by deer bark stripping.

Keywords: bark stripping, thinning method, red deer, spruce, even-aged and structured stands.