Economic value production of trees as a criterion of their maturity in an uneven-aged forest

Tree maturity of the four main tree species that are most frequent in the uneven-aged forests of the Western Carpathians was analysed. The maturity was determined on the base of the economic value production in relation to tree diameter. We derived mean timber values of spruce, fir, pine, and beech trees (€ m−3) depending on their diameters, quality and stem damage, and in the case of beech also depending on tree age. The assortment structure was calculated using the models of tree assortment tables that account for the stated tree parameters. The assortment prices were taken from the price list of logs in assortment and diameter classes of the Forests of the Slovak Republic, state enterprise, for the year 2016. Trees are mature when their mean timber monetary value is at maximum. Results show, that the highest mean value production of the majority of beech trees of average and above-average stem quality is 70 - 80 € m−3 for trees with diameters between 45 and 55 cm. Monetary values of spruce and fir trees with diameters above 60 to 90 cm are 80 - 95 € m−3, while the monetary values of pine trees with the same diameters are approximately 70 - 115 € m−3. The value production of trees is reduced if the stems are of worse quality or damaged, but in the case of beech it also decreases with greater diameter or tree age.