Pioneer tree species
Pioneer tree species are the first tree species to colonize open spaces ( clear cuts , burned areas, etc.).
Birch trees on a heap in Herne
Species:
- Silver birch (Betula pendula)
- Forest pine (Pinus sylvestris)
- Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
- Common willow (Salix caprea)
- Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
- European larch (Larix decidua)
- Aspen (Populus tremula)
General characteristics of pioneer tree species:
- mainly wind-pollinated (anemogamous) species, flowering at an early age
- Production of many light seeds that can be spread widely by the wind
- Seeds can germinate in the soil for a long time
- Early, frequent fructification
- rapidly growing, but low life expectancy (around 100 years)
- they are mostly light tree species with little shadow tolerance
- have low competitive strength
- high resistance to climate extremes
- low location requirements
- Leaf arrangement multilayered