Abstract
In a subalpine Abies veltchii forest characterized by"dead trees strips", the age-dependent change of stand structure and dry matter productivity was investigated near Mt. Asahi, Yamanashi Pref. Rapid increase of the needle biomass towards a maximum during about 40 years after emergence of the seedlings was followed by a gradual decline and a relatively long stable stage, after which the needle biomass decreased remarkably when the trees were over 100 years of age. The net production related to stand age showed the same pattern in needle biomass, so the peak of net production, 11.9 t/ha・yr, was observed in a 37-year-old stand holding the maximum needle biomass of 17.1 t/ha.
