eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2020-06-30 19 2 article Krzysztof Turczański 1 Department of Forest Sites and Ecology, Poznan University of Life Sciences Introduction. The process of European ash dieback emerged in 1992 in northeastern Poland. By 2012, the disease had spread throughout Europe. Two trends have been dominant in studies aiming to find an explanation for this phenomenon. One referred to the ecology of the species and abiotic conditions, while the other consisted in research concerning phytopathology and fungal genetics of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which is considered to be the main cause of ash dieback. Aim and materials. The paper aims to review results of current research related to the influence of habitat conditions on European ash dieback. The material was based on a review of journal articles and documents from various European countries as well as studies carried out in Poland. Conclusion. The review indicates that ash dieback is an extremely complex phenomenon, requiring further detailed research to confirm the observations showing diversification of the health state of European ash in various habitat conditions. The moisture content of habitats, soil conditions and species composition in the stand should be considered as particularly important. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume19/issue2/7_2_2020.pdf European ash dieback habitat conditions forest site type soil moisture eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2020-06-30 19 2 75 83 article Gabriel Grobelny 1 Grzegorz Pacek 1 Introduction. Surveys regarding accumulated amounts of spruce branches, which provided breeding material for the spruce wood engraver (Pityogenes chalcographus L.) were conducted in four forests divisions: Zdrojowisko, Ścinawka, Bożków and Wojbórz of the Jugów Forest District. Material and methods. In January 2019 branches left after the fall/winter sanitation cutting were collected. The branches originated from a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest and were sampled during the mass gradationof Pityogenes chalcographus. Overall 4 samples of branches of 1–6 cm in diameter and length up to 40 cm were collected for analyses. Branches were placed in 4 separate, specially designed cardboard photo-eclectors of 450×350×250 mm (length/width/height) and equipped with a 53-mm outlet. Collected insects were described by family, type, species and in the case of spruce wood engravers also determined their sex. Results. The conducted experiment resulted in collecting of 3459 specimens of P. chalcographus with the highest number of 1422 insects collected in the case of branches originating from the Wojbórz Forest Division, while the lowest number (335) originated from the Zdrojowisko Forest Division. Pityogenes chalcographus was the most frequent pest insect overwintering in the form of larvae, pupae and imagoes. The sex ratio of the species ranged from 50.38% to 61.74% in favour of females. In the case of separate branches the share of females was the highest in the Wojbórz (61.74%), Zdrojowisko (59.10%), Ścinawka (57.08%) and Bożków Forest Division (50.38%), respectively. The frequency of other pest insects was also determined. The second ranking insect in terms of its frequency was Pityophthorus pityographus, reported mostly in two forest divisions: Bożków (29.26%) and Zdrojowisko (21.53%). The other collected insect species were not found on spruce branch residue in significant numbers. During the surveys overwintering single predatory and parasitic insects were also collected. Conclusion. It has been concluded that the most frequent insect on the analysed material was the spruce wood engraver, which played a significant role in colonisation of spruce branches and is considered as a major factor of the tree top weakening. The use of photo-eclectors facilitates identification of the entomofauna originating from individual tree stands and in the case of potential danger provides data for the selection of an appropriate method to control pest insects before the onset of their reproduction. The numerous presence of pest insects on analysed branches suggests that logging residue needs to be disposed of. The developed method should be introduced to monitor the presence of harmful entomofauna, especially in weakened Norway spruce stands. Both Pityogenes chalcographus and Pityophthorus pityographus appeared on the analysed material in very large numbers, therefore they may contribute to considerable economic losses in forests. The sex ratio of P. chalcographus slightly favoured females, which is in contrast to the biology of species, suggesting the need of additional research to confirm the obtained results. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume19/issue2/8_2_2020.pdf photo-eclector entomofauna secondary pest insects sanitation cutting Norway spruce eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2020-06-30 19 2 85 93 article Kamila Płońska-Kaczor 1 Piotr Łakomy 2 Katedra Użytkowania Lasu, Wydział Leśny, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu Katedra Fitopatologii Leśnej, Wydział Leśny, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu Introduction. Biological control against Heterobasidion root rot utilises the natural antagonistic properties of a saprotrophic fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of P. gigantea metabolites on mycelium growth in three Heterobasidion species found in Poland. Methodology. Analyses were conducted on nine isolates of Heterobasidion and three isolates of P. gigantea. Results. Secondary metabolites of the saprotroph exhibits the strongest effect on the reduction of mycelium growth in H. annosum and H. parviporum, while this effect was weakest on the mycelium of H. abietinum. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between mean mycelium size in individual experimental combinations (P<0.00001), while based on Tukey’s test 8 homogenous groups may be distinguished in terms of the effect of metabolites of P. gigantea isolates on individual Heterobasidion isolates. Conclusions. It was found that secondary metabolites of P. gigantea isolates vary in their effect on the reduction of mycelium growth of Heterobasidion spp. in vitro. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume19/issue2/9_2_2020.pdf Phlebiopsis gigantea Heterobasidion secondary metabolites biological control eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2020-06-30 19 2 article Anna K. Kowalczyk 1 Adam Borowicz 2 Dariusz J. Gwiazdowicz 1 Wydział Leśny, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu Wydział Ekonomiczno-Społeczny, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu Contemporary hunting causes a lot of controversy and diverse opinions in the society. On the one hand, it faces rejection and even active aggression, and on the other, the functions it performs are understood and approved. The primary aim of the research is to define problems associated with hunting as well as developing proposals for specific solutions. To obtain knowledge concerning emerging opinions and attitudes towards hunters, a series of surveys was carried out, involving several hundred people. The received results indicate the areas of consistently positive opinions on hunting as well as the areas of negative ones. For example, the answer to the question related to hunting ethics and a positive motivation to take up hunting turned out to be highly differentiating in groups of young people. Opinions on hunters’ activity are often highly critical in social media. There are grounds to believe that the basis of critical opinions is the lack of knowledge on hunting, as well as a highly emotionally polarised attitude to problems of the natural world. An important element in understanding the function of modern hunting is the reliability of hunters sanctioned by compliance with customary law and ethics – hunting traditions and statute law. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume19/issue2/10_2_2020.pdf hunting conflicts with hunters eco-activists hunting ethics Polish Hunting Association eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2020-06-30 19 2 article Marek Wieruszewski 1 Adrian Trociński 1 Jakub Kawalerczyk 1 Department of Wood-based Materials, Poznań University of Life Sciences Background. In order to conduct the investigations pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was used in the form of large-sized roundwood of grade WC0. This raw material is a basic material processed in the domestic sawmill production. Material and methods. The aim of presented research was to evaluate the effect of roundwood dimensions on material recovery efficiency indicators. The model large-sized roundwood was processed into logs. Next, logs were sawn in order to provide edged timber with the target application as prefabricated materials. Results. The results are presented starting with log manipulation and ending with timber sawing and manufacturing of final products. Conslusions. On the basis of presented results it was found that both raw material selection and the applied technology were important factors affecting material recovery efficiency indicators in the large-sized roundwood sawing process. The study shows an increase in values of performance indices for the processing of logs with smaller diameters. This indicator results from prefabrication assumptions. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume19/issue2/11_2_2020.pdf pine material efficiency sawing process diameter eng Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria 16440722 2020-06-30 19 2 article Robert Kuźmiński 1 Krzysztof Wojtkowski 1 Katedra Entomologii Leśnej, Wydział Leśny, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu Two methods of autumn search for spruce web-spinning sawflies were compared – the currently employed, performed under the canopy of eight trees in the control plot on crown projection areas of 0.25×0.25 m, and the previous method, in which search was carried out on one crown projection area of 1×1 m. Despite a lack of statistically significant differences between both methods, on average more larvae were found applying the currently used standard method involving 8 pitfall traps. Thanks to a higher number of locations, in which search was performed, the method involving 8 control pitfall traps minimises the risk of considerable errors resulting from a subjective selection of a single search location. It provides greater stability of results and thus facilitates more accurate assessment of the current threat to the stand. Application of this method in forestry practice is fully justified. This study confirmed the need to thoroughly search the soil, particularly around and under stones and at the roots. Larvae tended to gather in these locations. Moreover, it is recommended to search through or even shake out the sod, since in this study many larvae were found within this layer. https://www.forestry.actapol.net/volume19/issue2/12_2_2020.pdf autumn sampling forecasting of pest threat in stands webworms Cephalcia Picea abies