Complex assessment of larch species and hybrids perspectives for the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine conditions

Data on the integrated assessment of larch species and hybrids forest plantations in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are summarized. The research was carried out in three regions of Ukraine – Kharkiv (State Enterprise "Kharkiv FRS", Guty Forest State Enterprise), Sumy (Trostyanets and Swesa Forest State Enterprises), Vinnytsya (Vinnytsa Forest State Enterprise, Vinnytsya FRS). In forest stands of 52 – 124 years 10 trial plot were laid. The vast majority of the stands are located in the Forest-Steppe natural zone, except for Swesa Forest State Enterprise, located in the Polissya natural zone. The object of the study is the forest plantations of species and hybrids of the genus Larix L. The aim of the research – assessment of the introduction success of larch species and hybrids in forest plantations in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. In the forest-steppe of Ukraine, in half the cases, the parameters of larch species and hybrids exceed the table indexes of both English oak and Scotch pine by diameter. In the overwhelming majority of cases, larch grows by height is at the level of the pine or slightly behind it. And at the same time it exceeds the parameters of the oak. Climatic conditions of Vinnytsya and Sumy regions are suitable for larches growth and development, while long periods of drought in the Kharkiv region affect them negatively. Significant effects of forest growing conditions have not been observed, but the characteristics of the stands in the richer conditions (D2) in the majority cases is slightly higher. According to the results of the complex evaluation of the forest sands of the age of 52-124 years in three regions of Ukraine the vast majority of them proved to be perspective, which confirms the suitability of larch for the planting forest stands, protective plantations and landscaping in the Sumy and Vinnytsya regions. In the conditions of the Kharkiv region, species and hybrids of larch are suitable for the planting of protective plantings and landscaping. For the more large scale implementation of larch species and hybrids in the forestry, it is necessary to expand the forest seed base, in particular, using plus and best trees, selected in the surveyed tree stands.