Influence of planting density and rotation age on the profitability of timber production for Norway spruce in Central Europe

When forest stands are established by planting, the initial density is often chosen based on recommendations of specific plant numbers. Since forest owners typically face different alternatives for the employment of their opportunities and since market situations often change more rapidly and on a smaller scale than the characteristics of forest sites, the question arises whether these factors are reflected in one or within a small range of planting densities. Even though some advised densities might be profitable for some forest owners and market situations, the shift of profitable timber production as a result of changes in the circumstances surrounding the investment is unclear. In this paper, the influence of the planting density on the profitable production of timber is analysed with the explicit inclusion of price differentials as these offer incentives for the choice of the planting density in Central Europe. Since numerical calculations based on empirical data are required for an analysis of the complex facets of price differentials, the specific statements are restricted to the tree species Norway spruce ( Picea abies Karst.). By means of typical calculation examples, the effects of changes in investment parameters are exemplified and discussed against the background of a sensitivity analysis. The results reveal the boundaries for the profitable production of high-quality timber and show that forest owners might compensate changes in the investment situation by adjustments of either or both the rotation age and the planting density.