Varying rectangular spacing yields no difference in forest growth and external wood quality in coniferous forest plantations

Historically square or almost spacing design has been used in plantation forest, as it claimed to maximize productivity. In this study, based on field experiments established the mid-1980s, we tested effect of different rectangular planting designs (2 × 2, 1.33 3, 1 4, 0.8 5, 1.46 4 m) productivity, stand heterogeneity, and external wood properties three coniferous species: Scots pine, Lodgepole Norway spruce. Stand production (volume, diameter), (ovality, branch thickness, living crown height, height-diameter ratio), heterogeneity (Gini coefficient) were not significantly affected by designs. Based evidence, propose that more flexibility is available than previously thought for layouts consequently choice spots machinery operations.