The primary aim of the study was to determine methods of securing commercial timber sales transactions, used by forest inspectorates, to assess them in terms of the vindication process and to present new possibilities to secure sales transactions of goods and services. Thus, the aim of the investigations was to evaluate the cash-credit sales of timber, to describe forms of securing timber sales transactions used at present by forest inspectorates, to present the effect of individual security instruments on the vindication process of receivables from credit timber sales transactions concluded by forest inspectorates. The investigations were conducted on the basis of the data (approx. 37 thousand transactions) collected in the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Poznań, which is one of the 17 directorates in Poland. At the time of the study the Directorate consisted of 26 forests inspectorates.

In the paper an attempt was made to elaborate a point method of the financial liquidity assessment of forest districts. This method was used to categorize forest districts with regard to their solvency. The investigations were conducted in 26 forest districts of the Regional Directorate of State Forests (RDSF) in Poznań and extended in the period from 1998-2001. On the basis of the analysis of the examined indices of the liquidity and the applied point method, generally speaking, during the studied period a high level of liquidity and its considerable variability was found in individual forest districts. The paper presents general assumptions of the point method of the liquidity assessment in individual forest districts. In order to increase the cognitive value of this method, it seems necessary to continue further studies.

Needles from abnormal dwarf shoots of Pinus mugo are described. The three-, five- and seven-needle dwarf shoots were found in the Dolina Pięciu Stawów in the East Tatra Mts. The needles were measured and documented by photographing. Abnormal needles were shorter, thinner and narrower than those of two-needle shoots. The shape of cross-section of these needles was different, nearly triangular, semicircular, circular or irregular – difficult to describe.

The paper presents analysis of flora structure in rural parks on the example of the Sandomierska Valley. The research was done in 51 rural parks, (landscape historic style). Parks were established in XVIII-XIX centuries (landscape historic style) on oak-hornbeam site ver. małopolska. Parks were divided into groups including area and antropic pressure.

The object of the performed investigations was to determine fractions of fuel wood chips. The fuel wood chips were harvested with chippers: Bandit 1400 and Vermeer BC1800A. The determination of chips fractions was based on 5 fraction classes. In all the samples, 11-35 mm fraction was the most numerously represented. In case of < 2 mm and 11-35 mm fractions the statistical substantial differences were found between average values participation of these fractions. The results of fractions of fuel wood chips dimensions in majority were up to Polish standards of fuel wood chips dimensions.

The abundance of mites from the order Gamasida and the activity of soil enzymes were investigated in relation to altitude, season of the year or distance from the tree trunk. The activity of soil enzymes depended on a season of the year and altitude. The abundance of the Gamasida population was higher closer to the tree. Abundance and species composition of the investigated Gamasida population changed with season of the year, altitude, and distance from the trunk, however, it was not significantly affected by the activity of the enzymes.

The aim of the present study was to describe and characterize the use of shoreline vegetation by beavers for dam building as well as to determine their food preferences with regard to particular shrub and tree species. It was found that the selection of dam building materials by beavers was related to the occurrence and availability of certain tree and shrub species in the strip of shoreline vegetation. Tree branches to 6.0 in diameter and 0.5 to 3.0 m in length were used most often as construction material for dams. The analysis of food stored in winter caches revealed that beavers showed strong preferences for particular plant species.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of endoeutric cambisols, developed from Magura sandstones and schists of Carpathian flysch under the Carpathian lime tree forest Tilio-Carpinetum typicum of a fertile variant (T-C_f) and a poor variant (T-C_p), and the Carpathian beech forest of a typical variant Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum typicum (Dg-F_t) and a fertile variant Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum lunarietosum (Dg-F_l). Soil samples from humus horizons in 10 replications and one cumulative sample from each of deeper horizons were collected from soil of each plant community. Such soil properties as pH in H₂O and 1 M KCl, mechanical composition, sorption properties, org. C, total N, available P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na, as well as the activities of dehydrogenases, phosphatases, invertase, urease, protease, and cellulases were compared. The distributions of values of investigated properties were compared by using Tukey’s test. Uniformed tendency in properties of humus horizons of the investigated forest communities was not confirmed. While the decrease in abundance of available phosphorus and organic matter (per 1 ha), as well as in activity of dehydrogenases, proteases and urease (in terms of soil volume in a profile of 1 dm² × 1 m), along with impoverishment of plant communities, were noted arranging investigated forests in the following sequence: T-C_f > Dg-F_l > T-C_p > Dg-F_t. The study results permitted to conclude that the lime tree forest has a more favourable effect on soil quality than the beech forest.

Compact sawing machines (compact saws) are among the most popular machinery used in the process of logging. Their technical condition influences the work safety to a large degree and is dependent on the period of use (age) of the compact sawing machine. Examinations of 212 compact sawing machines used by 61 forestry services plants proved that the average time period of their use was 5 years.

The object of the analysis was a Meri Crusher MJS-2.5 DT crushing machine powered by a Valtra T-190 tractor. The crusher was 2500 mm wide and the power of the tractor was 190 HP. During the analysis the quantity of the biomass to be milled and the productivity of the milling operation itself were determined. Based on given technical parameters of the crusher (the rpm of the PTO, number of cutters, diameter of the drum and the driving speed of the tractor), the rpm of working drum, the linear velocity of the cutters, the power and torque of the working drum and the milling productivity were determined. Based on the analysis of working movements of the machine, the forces which occur on the cutters were calculated. It was found that the average force on one cutter was 190 N.

In the Złotów Forest District 5 pine stands were selected and in each of which 4 observation plots were established each, consisting of 50 trees growing in clusters. The study consisted in one count of dead trees per year conducted in observation plots and in the whole experimental area. Results of the 3-year study showed the applied test tree method is not suitable in the assessment of threat to age class I pine stands posed by Armillaria fungi.

This study concerns the analysis of the type of horizontal distribution of trees in fir and beech undergrowth layer, growing under the canopy of two-generation felling stand. The purpose of the analysis was to investigate the spatial structure (horizontal distribution) of young generation in conditions of the improved gradual group cutting (IVd), as well as the evaluation of the applied regeneration method. The direction of further regeneration development was observed, too. Material was collected in 2001 from the area located in Krasiczyn Forest Division (Regional Direction of the State Forests in Krosno) in five two-generation fir-beech stands. The analysis was performed on 23 test plots. Size of each plot was 0.04 ha. Obtained results allow to evaluate positively the applied way of forest regeneration in the investigated stands. The improved gradual group cutting system assures the appropriate conditions of growth and development for beech at the proper group arrangement of trees in the Carpathian beech forest, which was observed very often in the undergrowth layer of this species. In case of fir-undergrowth trees generally characterized with random distribution. It seems to confirm the author’s opinion that fir can be only an admixture in Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum association. However, applied cutting system (IVd) creates the suitable conditions for artificial regeneration of this species in groups. It perfectly realizes the postulates of natural direction of silviculture.

The study analysed four volume increment indexes in terms of basic statistical characteristics. Empirical material consisted of 314 pine trees, growing in a 35-year old pine stand. Stem analysis was conducted on cut trees and 4 volume increment indexes C₁, C₂, C₃ and C₄ were calculated in successive 5-year growing periods. The lowest variation was found for two increment indexes, C₂ and C₄. A slightly higher variation was observed for index C₃, while the highest for C₁. The highest coefficients of variation of indexes C₁, C₂ and C₃ were recorded in the growing period of 6-10 years, while the lowest for the period of 11-15 years. In case of index C₄ it was the period of 31-35 years and 16-20 years, respectively. No distinct trend or relationship was found between the arithmetic mean of increment index C₃ and the age of trees. The mean of index C₁ increased with the age of trees, similarly as it was the case with index C₂, with only one difference that in the last growing period this mean decreased. Index C₄ decreased with the age of trees. In most cases the highest variation of indexes was recorded for trees of Karft’s classes IVb and Va. In those tree stands in which tending operations were conducted, the variation of all volume increment indexes should be lower.

The purpose of this study was to determine contents of cadmium and lead in the liver, kidneys, and blood of hares taken in the neighbourhood of Cracow. In total 164 liver 163 kidneys and 156 blood samples were analysed. The highest contents of cadmium and lead were found in organs of hares taken west of Cracow (Cd_liv. – 2.27 mg·kg^-1 wet weight; Cd_kidn. – 26.10 mg·kg^-1 w.w.; Pb_liv. – 1.67 mg·kg^-1 w.w.; Pb_kidn. – 1.50 mg·kg^-1 w.w.). Also a considerable cadmium content was found south of Cracow (Cd_liv. – 1.91 mg·kg^-1 w.w.; Cd_kidn. – 14.96 mg·kg^-1 w.w.). High concentrations of heavy metals in the western part of the study area resulted from a considerable industrial pollution of the environment, while a high cadmium content in the southern part was the result of a high plant capacity to assimilate this element from acid soils rich in cadmium. Hares in the northern part of the study area cumulated in both organs several times less cadmium than individuals in the western part (industrial area). It was found that cadmium content in the livers and kidneys of hares increases with increase of their age, while no such a relationship was found in the case of lead. Concentration of heavy metals found in organs of hares in the Cracow area was one of the highest in Poland and Europe, and most of the livers and kidneys were unfit for consumption according to Polish standards. Results of this study seem to indicate that European hare, being a typically resident species, may be used as a bio-indicator of environmental pollution with cadmium and lead.

Both the composition and harmfulness of exhaust gases emitted by the two-stroke engine of new Husqvarna and Stihl chain saws have been discussed in the paper. The research carried out on six chain saws (three chain saws from each of the manufacturers), with a different engine capacity, at several stages of work.. Moreover, possibilities of reduction and limitation of fumes emission are presented. As a result of the analysis of the research it has been stated that: the swept capacity of the two-stroke engine of a chain saw does not influence the size of the produced exhaust gases, and differences between the models and firms are not large. The work of a chain saw in the idle running causes a considerably higher emission of hydrocarbons (HC) than at other stages of work. And thus its work in low gear should be limited to the indispensable minimum; an increase of oxygen (O₂) quantity in the air-fuel mixture lowers the quantity of emitted carbon monoxide (CO). This phenomenon is connected with the suitable regulation of the chain saw carburettor.

The pressure losses occuring during filtering air purification from the dust waste arisen during machining of wood materials are subjected to the influence of the moisture contained in the air. The carried out laboratory tests with use of standard version of the polyester unwoven fabric KYS series PROGRESS and the other version of the same fabric with hydrophobic protection of working surface let us claim that the usage of silicone appret is plainly advantageous in conditions of air relative humidity 85%. This advantage manifests itself by general reduction of the resistances of air flow by about 2-5% and increasing of the regeneration ability of the hydrophobic unwoven fabric along with the filtration velocity.

Research was conducted in laboratory conditions on the pressure losses in film hoses made of pure polyester polyurethane with high flexibility and compressibility reinforced with a spring steel spiral. The measurements were conducted with use of 3-meter long sections, which were 80, 100, 150 and 200 mm in diameter. A mixture of sawdust, shavings and dust from working of softwood with the mass concentration in the carrying stream at the level 100 g·m^-3 was used. Velocities of air flow were changed in the range from 10 to 25 m·s^-1. The resistance of clean air flow was also determined.

The article presents initial results of investigations on the application of rye and wheat bran in the production of paper products and the effect of such supplementation on the paper strength properties. The performed experiments showed that cereal bran, when applied at appropriate proportions (optimally, 5% in relation to DM) did not cause excessive decrease of the strength properties of the examined packaging and bag papers and products manufactured from waste paper pulp (i.e. containers for eggs and fruit and paper flower pots).