Long-term evaluation of scar closure on residual damaged trees following ground-based skidding (Case study: Kheyrud forest)

Now a day, due to applying the close to nature forestry method to manage the Hyrcanian forests and harvest distribution in this method, reducing damage to the residual stand gains more important. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the resistance of the various diameters of tree species against scars or created during logging operation considering to the size, intensity and different locations as well as to study the change in the wound (healing and wound closure) in the species over time. The research was carried out in the Patom and Namkhaneh district in the Kheyrud Forest. The results showed that there were significant differences among scar healing in the tree species. By increasing the diameter of the trees, the healing rate was significantly reduced, while by increasing the size of the wound (the primary area of the wound), scar healing rate was significantly decreased. Also, by increasing the scar height along the bole, the rate of wound healing has been changed significantly. By the increasing severity of the wound, healing rate was significantly reduced. The results showed that scar age has significant effect on the healing rate, but traffic intensity hasn’t significant effect on wound healing rate. Tree position along the skid trail has positive effects on the amount of residual damage trees. Due to the fact that wounds are made in one meter height of the trunk, which is the most valuable part of the tree, trying to control the damage of trees is essential in the ground skidding operations.