Production capacity of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in Albania

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco),an introduced fast-growing and highly productive species, has been grown in plantations in Albania for more than three decades. To clarify its productive range, and to provide forest managers with relevant information for planting, we studied its productivity in a wide range of site conditions, the first such data concerning the development of this species in Albania. A total of 4 plantations in different parts of the country, which had been left to develop naturally with no intentional felling or silvicultural treatment, were selected for this purpose. When planted in the cold subzone of Castanetum or in the warm subzone of Fagetum in the altitudes between 700 (800) m and 1000 (1200) m above sea level in rich and deep soil (70-80 cm) Douglas-fir grows very fast and is very vigorous. Depending on site quality, mean annual net increments at age 20 varied from 12 to 14.8 m(3)ha(-1), annual height increment varied from 80 to 120 cm year(-1) and the total standing volume varied from 300 to 400 m(3)ha(-1). Douglas fir can be recommended as an alternative tree species for plantation in the selected forest stands in Albania, but further investigation should be carried out to test its long-term growth and adaptation and ecological effects.