Crown transparency of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Northern Appennines (Italy) — Status, changes and relationships with site characteristics and other indices of tree condition

Explained and unexplained crown transparency (ECT and UCT, respectively) of 2090 beech trees were examined in 1994 and compared with site condition and other indices of tree status. No relationship was found between UCT, social class, age and diameter. Some relationships were found between UCT, canopy closure, the amount of discolored foliage, the growth pattern (a modified Roloff score), fruiting and regeneration. UCT increases with altitude and decrease with site quality. Short-term changes in UCT do not exceed 5 % in approximately 70 % of the observed beeches, although changes of 20 % or more in UCT scores has been recorded on 6 % of the beeches.