A 385-year-old Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky): A page from the history book of the Hyrcanian forests

Document Type : Scientific Letters

Authors

1 Expert, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

2 Prof., Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Assistant Prof., Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sari, Iran

4 Ph.D., Student, Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

10.22092/irn.2024.132058

Abstract

The Hyrcanian forests in Iran are precious due to their climate, wood production, and forest products. They are the origin of the valuable oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), one of the oldest species dating back to the third geological period. Considering the ecological and economic significance of beech in the Hyrcanian forests, the current research was conducted to chronicle the growth of a 105 cm beech disk in the Haft-Khal Sari region. Doctor Mohammad Amini donated this disk to the Forest Research Division of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. After preparing the disk, the width of the growth rings was measured from the core to the bark and in various directions with an accuracy of 0.01 mm using a stereomicroscope and LINTAB 5 measuring table. Dating results indicated that this tree is 385 years old. The growth pattern of the tree indicates an ascending and descending curve from 130 to 140 years, like other beech trees in the Hyrcanian forests. The average annual diameter growth of the tree was 1.3 mm. As a small piece of history, the beech disk has witnessed significant events and happenings during its long life. As one of the key species of dendrochronology studies in this research, the beech tree provides around four centuries of climate data, which carries a valuable history of the weather conditions in this region. The climate data recorded by the Sari region's meteorological station spans from the years 1998 to 2005 until the present day. Trees maintain a valuable record of climatic events and the history of vegetative life in their annual rings, providing insight into the conditions of the studied area.

Keywords

References

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Iran Nature
Volume 9, Issue 3 - Serial Number 46
September and October 2024
Pages 49-57

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