Comparison of yield of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) in Skorradalur, West Iceland

Abstract: Iceland has suffered from massive deforestation since the Vikings settled on the island in 874. Thewoodland cover has gone from 25-30% to 1 %. Since the beginning of the 20th century, effort hasbeen made to regain the forest. In these afforestation efforts many tree species have been used bothindigenous and exotic. Coniferous species have played a major role in this afforestation. Species suchas Siberian larch, Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and various pine species have been important in theseefforts.The two spruce species mentioned earlier have both been very important in the afforestation ofIceland. However, the usage of Norway spruce has declined through time whereas usage of Sitkaspruce has increased.This study was carried out in a forested area in West Iceland owned by the Icelandic forest service.The aim of the study was to find out how much yield difference is between Norway spruce and Sitkaspruce in this area.The result shows a very big difference between those species and in all aspects the Sitka spruce hashigher values. The average difference for stands 46-55 years old for total mean annual increment thisis 3,7m3/ha/year or 86,9% more for Sitka spruce compared to Norway spruce.