Belova, O. 2009. Expected Climate Change and Options for European Silviculture (ECHOES): Background and Objectives.  Baltic Forestry 15 (1): 127-129. (Chronicle)

The recent period is distinguished by an unavoidable and unprecedented climate change (COM (2006) 216 final). The role of forests and their links with the climate changes are described. The necessity of the knowledge of climate change impacts on forests and of a new approach of forest management, increase in the demands for information and recommendations are shown. 26 European countries have joined and signed the COST Action FP0703 ECHOES that has been started on 27/05/2008. ECHOES aims to mobilise and integrate the existing scientific knowledge for European forest policymakers and managers who have to make decisions on adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. ECHOES working groups are based on the three main points as the Action Triangle corresponding to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES 2000) and 4th Assessment Report (2007). The tasks of the each working group are described.

Läänelaid, A. 2009. Dendrochronological Assessment in Establishing of Felling Dates of Birch Stumps.  Baltic Forestry 15 (1): 115-121. (Brief Report)

Dendrochronology can be used for resolving disputes over the felling dates of a forest cut. In the case of controversy in establishing the cutting times of a forest cut, dendrochronology can provide independent evidence. A successful attempt was made to establish the felling dates of stumps of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) in southern Estonia using dendrochronology. Difficulties met were mainly due to excessive decay of the wood, which made the tree-rings in some instances undistinguishable. Despite these problems two different felling periods were revealed to an accuracy of ca. half a year. Marks of different cutting machines on stumps supported the datings obtained. Our results show that dendrochronology can usefully be applied to birches when assessing past forest management practices.

Key words: Betula pendula Roth., felling date, stump samples, tree rings, expert assessment

Yaman, B. and Akkemik, Ü. 2009. The Use of Dendrochronological Method in Dating of Illegal Tree Cuttings in Turkey: A Case Study.  Baltic Forestry 15 (1): 122-126.  (Brief Report)

Every year many illegal tree cuttings occur in Turkey, and due to economic value of their timbers, the species such as Pinus nigra Arn. (Black pine) and Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) are sometimes subject to illegal cuttings. On the basis of cross-dating results, the case study aims to date the cutting years of pine trees, maker(s) of which is unknown, in Metristepe site (Bafra-Turkey). The master chronology of the 13 samples, which were dated, significantly matched to the reference chronology from the same forest (Gleichläufigkeit Value: 81 %, correlation coefficient 0.82, P < 0.001). The dating results indicate that the illegal cuttings in the scene occur mainly between the years 1990-2000. Thus, in terms of neglect of duty, the forest enterprisers, engineers and guards on duty in the period of 1990-2000 might be under criminal proceedings.

Key words: dendrochronology, forensic, illegal cutting, pine, tree ring, dating

Laitila, J., Kärhä, K. and Jylhä, P. 2009. Time Consumption Models and Parameters for Off- and On-road Transportation of Whole-Tree Bundles.  Baltic Forestry 15 (1): 105-114

The absence of the empirical time study models and parameters for whole-tree bundle forwarding and truck transportation has been problematic when comparing the alternative supply systems for integrated pulpwood and energy wood procurement. In the present study, time consumption models were constructed for the forwarding of whole-tree bundles by applying regression analyses to empirical time study data. The time studies related to on-road transportation were focused on comparing the terminal times spent on the handling of whole-tree bundles and conventional 5-m pulpwood. The study showed that the forwarding productivity of whole-tree bundles is about double compared to conventional pulpwood and whole trees, when using a solid volume of 0.5 m³ for the whole-tree bundles. In on-road transportation, the mean loading and unloading time of whole-tree bundles per truck load was 46% higher compared to that of conventional 5-m pulpwood.

Key words: Integrated harvesting, bundling, forwarding, transporting, energy wood