Determining the age of trees and stands when recognizing usurpations

Abstract

Forests in the sense of the Law on Forests are areas overgrown with forest tree species, on an area larger than 0.16 ha, minimum width 20 meters, with the degree of land cover with tree canopies at least 20%, regardless of whether young or adult trees, either to be of high or treacherous origin. A precondition for discussing usurpation is the establishment of a boundary line between forests and forest land on the one hand and agricultural land on the other. After the last acts of war, the number of usurpations in the Republic of Srpska increased enormously, which made it impossible to rationally and sustainably manage the forests located on the usurped land. By not recognizing the usurpation, the stands would become state property, and by recognizing it, it would become private property, which would lead to the establishment of regular management of those forests. Whether the usurpation will be recognized or not depends on the age of the forest located on the usurped land, so it is important to know how to correctly determine the age of trees and stands.