PhD student; project: Management of oak for high-quality wood production

Oak is one of the most valuable and widely used noble hardwoods in Sweden. The primary use of high quality oak timber is for furniture manufacturing.
Consequently, when managed for timber production oak possesses a substantial economic potential for the landowner as well as in the socio-economy. However, due to slow growth and high labour costs, oak management is capital intensive, and
the production of high quality timber requires consistent management practices during rotations of up to 150 years.
The objective of this project is to provide a scientific basis for modifying contemporary oak silviculture to cost-effectively optimise the production of high-quality timber. Based on investigations carried out within a set of established,
statistically designed long-term forest experiments the project will challenge specific scientific hypotheses and develop decision support tools for use in policy making as well as in private and public forest management.
The main focus will be on essentially even-aged stands of pedunculate oak
(Quercus robur). The project will be carried out in close co-operation
with leading oak specialists in other countries.
The project will include three focus areas, each of which will test specific, major research hypotheses relating to contemporary oak management.

Supervisor: Prof. Jens Peter Skovsgaard

Selected Scientific Publications

Attocchi, Giulia, 2010. Set aside areas in certified private forest estates in Southern Sweden : are the best stands chosen?. Second cycle, A2E. Alnarp: Faculty of Forest Sciences > Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

Links

LinkedIn
Thesis