Abstract
Two types of crown form were recognized within a distinction according to superiority or inferiority of top shoot growth considering recent two years in snow and heavy snow districts. When top shoot was superior in growth in comparison with lateral shoot (apical dominance), the crown form was recognized as a superior (A) type. When top shoot was inferior in growth in comparison with lateral shoot, the crown form was recognized as an inferior (B) type. Height and diameter increments in the A type were bigger than in the B type. Resistance of stem at breast height to snow pressure in the A type was higher than in the B type. Snow cover on tree crowns in the A type was lighter than in the B type. Within same size of trees on steep sites and heavy snow pressure stands, bending damage on the stem base in the A type was less than in the B type. From the obtained results higher resistance of the A tree type than the B tree type to snow damage in young Cryptomeria stands was concluded.
