Evaluation of visual surveys to estimate acorn production of Gall oak (Quercus infectoria Olivier) in Baneh

This research was conducted for the first time in Iran on Northern Zagros Forests close to Halou village located 40 km far west of Baneh City at Kurdistan province. 120 sample trees of Gall oak (Quercus infectoria) were selected, using stratified random sampling method and their seed amount was measured, using different methods of visual surveys (Whitehead, Christisen-Kearby and Modified Graves), then the achieved data were correlated with the crown counting data. Stem diameter at breast height and big and small diameters of crown of the trees were measured. In early September, just prior to acorn fall, each tree was surveyed; using the visual survey methods and its acorn density (acorns number/m2 crown area) was calculated, using crown counting method. The results showed that 24 of the sampled trees had no acorn and average acorn density was 7.2. Overall, weak acorn production of Q. infectoria was observed, based on the estimated visual survey indexes and the best visual estimation method was Whitehead (r2=0.87). Finally, usefulness of the visual survey methods was confirmed due to their simple application, acceptable accuracy and low labor costs