THE PRESENCE OF BEECH WITH OAKLIKE BARK (FAGUS SYLVATICA L. VAR. QUERCOIDES PERS.) IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

In this paper is given an overview of the rare occurrence of beech with oaklike bark (Fagus sylvatica var. quercodies) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is recorded for the first time by Karlo Malý in 1934. In addition to basic information about the distribution of this taxon we gave a detailed description of a one its remarkable recent tree from Kreševo area. These unusual phenomena induce scientific interest and require special protection and conservation actions.

The presence of beech with oaklike bark (Fagus sylvatica L. Var. Quercoides pers.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina the northern and north-eastern Bosnia, which occupies hygrophilous and moderately thermophilic vegetation of subpannonian formations, all the rest area could be considered as a unique connected areal of beech distribution. Deep river valleys and karst fields are excluded within this area, as well as areas of high mountain peaks where no beech in large numbers". Areal of beech forest is much narrower than the geographic distribution of the species. The same author states that the beech forest descends almost to the shores of the river Sava in northern Bosnia (150 m), while the upper limit, related to some western and southern Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountains, can be found above 1900 m. According to MATIĆ ET AL. (1971), from the total forest area of 2.5 million ha in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the pure beech forest occupy 13.3%, beech-fir-spruce forests 22.45%, and coppice forests and thickets of beech 12.6%, which makes about 48.35% of the total forest area in B&H. The analysis of recently digitized maps of real forest vegetation of B&H ( Figure 1; SELIMOVIĆ and VOJNIKOVIĆ, in preparation, according STEFANOVIĆ ET AL., 1983), it was possible to estimate then state presence of beech forests in the B&H total forests: beech forests occupy the largest area (742,712 ha, 29.51%), followed by beech-fir-spruce forests (68,365 ha, 18.61%), beech-fir forests (198,734 ha, 7.90%), subalpine beech forests (31,500 ha, 1.25%), and thermophilous beech forests (16,831 ha, 0.67%).
Within the natural range of beech is very rare to find individuals who, by their morphological characteristics, deviate from the usual descriptions of this species. Karlo MALÝ (1934) first gave a description of beech with oaklike bark (Fagus sylvatica L. var. quercoides Pers.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, JANJIC (1998) wrote about another unusual form of beech in B&H, F. sylvatica f. pseudograndidentata Janjic et Ballian, with coarsely toothed leaves and no other morphological differences in comparison to common beech. The same author states that this phenomenon is described in a number of similar forms of European beech, but none are identical to those tree individual.
In this paper we discuss more about beech with oaklike bark, for the first time found in B&H on pass Makljen (1060 m), between Vitez and Stambulčić, on the northern slopes of Mt. Jahorina (MALÝ, 1934). At that time this unusual phenomenon has been known in Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, and Croatia. The same author suggests that this type of individual bark beech development is equal to bark development in some individuals of fir (Abies alba L.), field maple (Acer campestre L.) and field elm (Ulmus minor Mill.). Several individuals of Fagus sylvatica L. var. quercoides in B&H were recorded later: on Mt. Jahorina (on the road from Bistrica to Prača spring), on the road Trebovac-Bitovinja in Crna rijeka area (mixed forest Blinje) and on the slopes of the Mt. Bitovnje (MALÝ, 1940;FUKAREK, 1965).  (digitalizirali i modifikovali SELIMOVIĆ i VOJNIKOVIĆ, u pripremi, prema STEFANOVIĆ i sar., 1983) In the mid-twentieth century were find some other examples of F. sylvatica var. quercoides in the Balkans: in Serbia (TUCOVIĆ AND JOVANOVIĆ, 1956) and FYR Macedonia (NIKOLOVSKI AND MIRČEVSKI, 1969), described as a variety of Moesian beech (F. moesiaca (Malý) Czeczott), which taxonomical status is still discutabile (FUKAREK, 1959;TUTIN, 1964;DENK, 1999).
Describing the unusual form of European beech with cuboid furrowed bark (cortice tesselato -sulcata) from the Gottingen area in Germany, PERSOON (1800) gave to these forms taxonomic status of variety Fagus sylvatica var. quercoides, with a remark that it is a very rare appearance. FUKAREK (1965) wrote that first discovered F. sylvatica var. quercoides tree in B&H on pass Makljen is cut down. Also, he suggests that this phenomenon is not a permanent form of beech, and could not be included in the group of forms or varieties. He attributed lussu label to the scientific name of the beech, which in the botany means "play of nature". According database of The Plant List, F. sylvatica var. quercoides is classified among the 44, to date described, synonyms for F. sylvatica (THE PLANT LIST, 2010). Some researches in

The presence of beech with oaklike bark (Fagus sylvatica L. Var. Quercoides pers.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Germany have shown that individuals grown from the seed of F. sylvatica var. quercoides have a normal smooth bark (MALÝ, 1934), which indicate that this phenomenon probably is not an inherited trait (FUKAREK, 1965). MALÝ (1934) conveys the opinion that formation of this kind beech's bark is maybe pathological phenomenon, which usually occurs in older trees on the side facing to the Sun. There are several hypotheses about the causes of bark splitting of F. sylvatica var. quercoides, but it is most likely some genetic aberration (TRINAJSTIĆ, 2003). All of the above indicate to the still poorly understood taxonomic status of this taxon. During filed investigations in the area of Kreševo, Central Bosnia (Management unit "Crna rijeka Fojnička", Forest Management Area "Fojničko", department 49, section ''b'', altitude 903 m, 2012. year), we recorded one tree of F. sylvatica var. quercoides (Figure 2). Subsequent consultation of literature sources showed that MALÝ (1940) found one unusual beech tree on the same locality (Blinja). In an effort to point out the presence of such rare occurrences within Bosnian forest ecosystems, we consider it necessary to pay attention to the necessity of the protection and conservation of these and similar natural phenomena. Found remarkable beech tree has two trunks, with almost equal thickness, that grow from the common stump. The breast height of the one trunk is 58.90 cm, and of the other 57.07 cm. At a height of 3.4 m trunks again bring closer and intertwine forming a common canopy, whose highest branches ending at the height of 23.30 m (Figures 3a and b). The canopy is very extensive, and many branches are in relation to the trunk under unusual very obtuse angles (Figure 3b). Cracked bark is visible from the root collar along the trunk; including apex branches in the canopy (Figs 3a, c and d). Longitudinal cracks are deeper than the transversal, and formed bark plates are longer than wider (Figure 3c). Tree age is not directly estimated, but based on the diameter at breast height and age of the surrounding beech trees it can be concluded that the observed tree age is about 110 years. Accurately positioning of F. sylvatica var. quercoides tree on a topographic map was done by ArcGis 10-Esri, in order to monitor and protect it.
Remarkably rare individuals are potential indicators of forest ecosystems' preservation, and it would be desirable to further investigate the observed individual (anatomically, histologically, cytogenetically and physiologically). Therefore, the experts responsible for forest management must continually educate and propose