EN
The paper was aimed at determination of the effect of different tree density in the naturally regenerated monotypic and even aged young Scots pine stands growing in the fresh coniferous or mixed fresh coniferous forest sites on their further development. Research was carried out in Nowa Dęba Forest District (south−eastern Poland). A total of 12 research plots (160×40 m) were established in the selected stands. Plots were divided into 4 equal square pieces (40×40 m), where different methods of tending were applied (variant A – control, variant B – thinned, leaving 16 thousand trees/ha, variant C – thinned, leaving 10 thousand trees/ha, variant D – thinned, leaving 6 thousand trees/ha). The thinning was carried out in April 2007. In subsequent years (2007−2010), selected elements of stand structure like: height, height increment, density and damage resulting from abiotic and biotic factors were determined. Tree density significantly influenced both height increment and qualitative (tree shape) characteristics of naturally regenerated young pine trees. In the course of early thinnings, the number of trees needs to be reduced approximately down to the 10−16 th. stems/ha in the first stage of growth (seedlings), and further down to about 6 th./ha in the coppice stage. Such density enhances the chance of good growth and silvicultural quality of the stand. Noteworthy, even the heavy thinning does not significantly impact the actual proportion of both biotic (e.g. ungulate browsing) and abiotic (e.g. heavy snow) damage in the young naturally regenerated Scots pine forest stands.