DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF COMMON JUNIPER (JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS L.) IN LITHUANIAN PINE STANDS

Distribution and status of common juniper (Juniperus communis L.) in Lithuanian Pine stands are investigated in the study. The research was conducted in pure pine stands on sites with normal humidity and poor fertility in South - South Eastern parts of Lithuania. 40 stands were selected for data collection. Temporary rectangular sample plots with area of 10 m(2) were selected. According to method of underbrush evaluation, diameter root neck level, height and state index was measured for 3 juniper individuals located near the center of sample plots. The number of sample plots depended on the area of each stand, but it was not lower than 10 in each stand. Average diameter of junipers was 3.03 cm, average height - 2.03 m. It was determined that average density of juniper individuals is 5055 individuals per hectare, and separately in vacciniosum and vaccinio - myrtilosum forest types - 4844 and 5282 individuals per hectare respectively. Average state index of juniper individuals in 6 grade scale was 2.96, which is near to grade 3 (slightly damaged). Results of the study show that distribution, status and dendrometric characteristics of junipers are different in adjacent regions of pine provenance.