Effects of Fertilization on Wood Formation in Naturally Regenerated Juvenile Silver Birch in a Norway Spruce Stand in South Sweden

This study investigates wood density and anatomy of juvenile silver birch stems in Sweden, grown mixed conifer stands. Our aim is to investigate if fertilization provides increased growth, as well an eventual reduction stem density. Measurements basic density, ring width, cell wall thickness, vessels are analyzed for 20 trees. Bark pith radial sections using a light microscope the freeware ImageJ compare treatments ages. The results show that trees with fertilizer treatment have wider growth rings thinner thickness compared unfertilized fertilized also lower cambium age at same height diameter, slightly mean (420 kg m?3) than (460 m?3). Fertilizer significant determinant nonlinear models. reached fixed diameter earlier. difference between likely explains some differences thickness. supports use silvicultural option increasing rate relatively small