Mixed Castanea sativa plantations including arboreal companion species enhance chestnut growth and high-quality timber production

Abstract

Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) is an important tree species for its timber, which is widely used for multiple purposes, including the veneer industry. The species has an interesting productive potential in Chile and requires specific management strategies to produce valuable, high-quality logs. Although mixed plantations including companion species usually enhance timber quality of several trees, the performance of chestnut under different associations is not well known. The objective of this study was to assess growth, survival, health, and timber quality of chestnut trees in several plantation types, including monoculture and mixtures with other companion trees and/or shrub.