An attempt to infer on the origin of a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand in Rheinland-Pfalz (Germany)

Information on whether a stand represents a part of an autochthonous population is important for control of the seed trade and for the declaration of gene resources. The genetic structure of a planted beech stand of questionable origin with an outstanding high proportion of forked trees, was compared with those of stands of the same region in western Germany that were either known or supposed to be autochthonous. Genetic structures were estimated for 11 enzyme gene loci. Comparisons were performed by determining genetic distances and applying measures of genetic differentiation. The degree of differentiation of beech populations at enzyme gene loci is generally low, which causes additional difficulties. Nevertheless, it may be concluded that the plants used to establish the stand in question could hardly have been raised from seed collected from a stand in the alleged part of the natural distribution range.