Forest-Growing Conditions and State of Pine and Birch Species in the Northern Part of the Suburban Zone of Volgograd

The article presents the results of the assessment of forest conditions and the state of forest cultures of Scots pine and Silver birch in the suburban area of Volgograd. The relevance of the study is due to the need to select productive and resistant to dry conditions mixing schemes of tree species for the organization of forest-park areas in suburban areas of large cities. Studies were conducted on the example of a key area of 0,7 hectares in the northern part of the city. Soil forest availability was determined by the granulometric composition, organic matter content and groundwater level. Soil sections of light chestnut soils are described, the characteristics of the main physicochemical indicators of soils are given. A profile of groundwater occurrence has been compiled and its relationship with the relief of the site is shown. The condition of forest cultures was assessed by bonitet, stock and vital status of the stand. High vitality indicators of pine and birch testify to the optimal conditions for the growth of forest crops under dry pinery. The conducted research allowed recommending, during the silvicultural works in the north of the suburban zone of Volgograd, the cool way of mixing pine with birch to create highly productive and sustainable protective forest stands.