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On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced the state of the COVID−19 pandemic. In Poland, the first case of SARS−CoV−2 was diagnosed on March 4, 2020. Since then, the Polish government has been using various solutions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Inter alia restrictions on movement, the use of public media, access to services and a short−term ban on access to the forest were introduced. The aim of this study was to present the results of a pilot study on the attitude of the Poles towards the forest during the pandemic. Three main research questions were set: what encourages the respondents to walk in the forest; what discourages them from this and what is their attitude to the decision to ban on entering the forest. The diagnostic survey method was conducted via the Internet. The study found that over 75% of respondents declared that they had been in the forest during the ‘stay at home’ action. What attracts the respondents most to walk in the forest is peace, quiet, fresh air and the possibility of contact with nature. The respondents considered the fear of ticks a disincentive. Over 70% of respondents considered the ban on entering the forest to be definitely wrong. During a pandemic, the forest can be a particularly popular place for walks, both due to the need to avoid crowded places and the possibility of finding peace and rest from the everyday hustle and bustle., Sylwan 165 (2): 149-156

Black cherry is an important invasive species in forest ecosystems in Poland. It developed mainly in Scots pine stands. The aim of the study was to identify microscopic fungi colonies inhabiting black cherry stumps. In the spring of 2017, wood samples were collected from stumps created after cutting in each subsequent month of 2016 in the Podanin Forest District (19°2800E, 52°0400N). Stumps up to 5 cm and more than 5 cm in diameter were selected for the study. In total, 72 discs from the first stage of the decomposition of wood were collected. The discs were drilled to obtain fine sawdust for further analysis. The trials were divided into four periods. DNA isolation was performed using the Plant Genomic DNA purification kit (ThermoScientific). The ITSrDNA region was used for species identification. The analysis was carried out using specific primers. The obtained product was purified and sequenced using the Illumina SBS technology. The resulting sequence was compared using the BLAST algorithm with reference sequences from the NCBI database. The communities of fungi inhabiting the black cherry stumps differed from each other. The highest number of taxa was identified in samples from stumps over 5 cm sheared in autumn and winter, while the lowest in stumps up to 5 cm sheared in spring and winter. Fungi belonging to the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Glomeromycota, Zygomycota and non−cultivable fungi and organisms belonging to other kingdoms were identified. Saprophytes from emMenispora/em sp. dominated on the analysed stumps. The collection of fungi of larger stumps was more diverse and more numerous than on stumps with a smaller diameter. A greater diversity of taxa was distinguished by the stumps of tree fallen in the growing season. The majority of the analyzed samples were dominated by Ascomycota. Basidiomycota clusters dominated in the winter. The predominant share of saprotrophs shows the distribution of stumps. The most desirable effect of the research would be the indication of naturally occurring saprotroph, whose operation would reduce the black cherry’s yield strength. The applied method of sequencing based on the Illumina System was effective to determine the composition of the fungal population., Sylwan 163 (10): 872-880

Wood obtained from freshly cut trees has a high moisture content and therefore its mass per volume unit is higher than the mass of dry wood. The natural drying is a simple and effective method of weight (moisture content) reduction, making a better use of the vehicle's payload, and thus reducing costs, including environmental costs. The conclusion is based on simulations and analyzes attempting to evaluate different solutions. As evidenced, the drying process of logs depends on numerous factors, which entails attempts at development of an optimal logging method, especially concerning energy wood, allowing for maximum value growth in as little time as possible. The suggestions cover various forms of logging (of whole trees, long timber), arranging (in piles, bundles), storing (in stands, by the roadside near cutting areas), and protection. Combined methods such as storing under canvas for winter only or storing in cutting areas and later in piles at the exit road also work in practice, but require more funds because their cost is determined by the number of stages composing the whole process. In case of wood, development of an optimal and simultaneously universal method used to prepare the lumber for transport and its delivery with consideration of as little environmental impact as possible is complicated. The numerous variables, some of which cannot be controlled or affected, create a considerable scientific problem as well. The authors covered in the presented literature review often stress the role of specific weather conditions accompanying an experiment or its location, the storage method, or lumber dimensions in the drying process. Storage time is perceived as equally important, but it is a derivative more or less determined by the previous variables. Previous studies of drying at the cutting area have been focused mainly on energy wood and less on industrial wood. They analysed the results of long−term storage and did not stress the potential advantages of short−term drying. Furthermore, we do not have sufficient information on species, including forest trees, which have a lower share in the volume of the logged wood. Advanced research can help establish the minimum mass (moisture content) with considerable impact on supply chain effectiveness improvement or evaluated various storing and drying methods. We reviewed reports explaining the impact of various factors on natural drying of wood, models and storage effects, and analyzing potential economic and environmental benefits., Sylwan 161 (11): 898-908

Presented study compares of the performance of Scots pine plantations established with container−grown and bare−root seedlings. Silvicultural assessment was based on the comparison of survival rate, defect differentiation as well as height and diameter growth of plants depending on the type of the planting material used for renewal. Results show faster growth of the container−grown plants but their slightly lower survival rate. The economic evaluation was based on the comparison of total costs of establishing and managing both types of plantations depending on the initial density., Sylwan 157 (3): 177-186

The experiment was established in the Potrzebowice Forest District in the area after the fire of pine forest. The planting was performed in April 1994, using 2/0 pine and alder seedlings in a different proportion: 0%, 25%, 50% and 100%. The seedlings were arranged in six complete blocks. A mixture planting of single trees and row of trees was applied. The soil was prepared in furrows without subsoiling (deep tilling). Preliminary results indicate the beneficial effect of alder on the size of breast height diameters of pine already with a 25% participation of this species. No effect on pine height was observed., Sylwan 156 (1): 28-35

The paper describes the spatial diversity of 30−year old Douglas fir stands established by planting on fresh mixed coniferous and fresh mixed broadleaved sites. Analysis was carried out with reference to the horizontal structure (type of tree distribution over an area) and the spatial diversity of living trees size (dbh and height). Easily measurable structural indices as Clark−Evan aggregation index, contagion index and the height and diameter differentiation indices were used., Sylwan 154 (11): 791-800

Sylwan 151 (9): 3-11