Quantitative and qualitative properties of Caucasian wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach.) forest reserve in Dareh-shahr, Ilam Province

In this study, vegetative, climate, geology and soil properties of a Caucasian wingnut (Pterocarya Fraxiinfolia (Lam.) spach.) forest reserve in Dareh-shahr of Ilam Province were investigated. The Emberje method showed semi-humid climate. Soil texture was loam to loamy-sand, and the soil was shown to be alkaline ranging from neutral to slightly alkalin. A full callipering of the entire study site showed that the stand is composed of Fraxinus rotundifolia and Pterocaria fraxinifolia, accompanied by Wych elm and Caucasian Hackberry.All trees were seedling-initiated with the mean DBH, height and crown area of 64.3 cm, 13.8 m and 89.7 m2, respectively. The forest reserve was consisted of 53.8 % healthy, 38 % fractioned or crown-dried and 8.3 % dead trees. Most healthy trees were Hackberry, whereas the Ash trees were the least. The elm and wingnut mostly regenerated in basal shoot and coppice forms, while hackberry trees mostly produced seedlings. Despite the relatively small area, the forest reserve includes large trees, proper soil with enough organic matter which makes it of major ecological value to be more investigated. Provided with enough control and preservation, the regeneration and further growth of trees will be guaranteed, which in turn ensures the sustainability of this forest reserve.