U radu je istraživana dinamika rasta i prirasta primjernih stabala crnoga oraha (Juglans nigra L.) u kulturama podignutim na području Vukovara u istočnoj Hrvatskoj, gdje se crni orah uzgaja više od jednog stoljeća unutar pojasa najkserotermnije subasocijacije lužnjakovo-grabovih šuma (Carpino betuli-Quercetum roboris quercetosum cerris Rauš 1969). Rezultati analize primjernih stabala u mladoj, srednjedobnoj i zreloj sastojini, pokazali su da kulminacija visinskog prirasta nastupa prije 20. godine starosti. U dobi od 50 godina crni orah na staništu I bonitetnog razreda postiže visinu od 30 metara i prsni promjer debla od 30 cm, a kontinuirano volumno prirašćuje i u dobi od 60 do 80 godina. Uspoređujući volumni rast stabala crnoga oraha s drugim vrstama, utvrđeno je da na kvalitetnom staništu crni orah do 60. godine starosti brže raste i bolje prirašćuje od hrasta lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.), poljskog jasena (Fraxinus angustifloa Vahl) i crne johe (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), kao i od unešenog pensilvanskog jasena (F. pennsylvanica Marshall). Utvrđena dinamika rasta i prirasta, ciljana proizvodnja furnirskih trupaca te postojeći način gospodarenja, upućuju na duže sječive zrelosti u odnosu na Sjevernu Ameriku.This paper deals with growth and increment dynamics of black walnut trees in culture planted at the Vukovar area in eastern region of Croatia where black walnut has been cultivated for more than one century. Culture is situated inside the zone of most xerotherm subassociation of common oak and hornbeam forest (Carpino betuli – Quercetum roboris quercetosum cerris Rauš 1969). The results of analyzing representative trees (from young, middle aged and adult stand) show that black walnut is fast growing tree species with height increment culmination before age of twenty years. Black walnut trees at the age of fifty years achieve height of thirty meters and breast height diameter of thirty centimetres, on the site of first productivity class. Volume increment of black walnut trees is continuous even in the age of sixty to eighty years. Comparing black walnut volume growth until the age of sixty years with growth of other tree species on the high quality site, it was determined that black walnut growth is faster and better then common oak (Quercus robur L.), narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifloa Vahl), black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), and introduced green ash (F. pennsylvanica Marshall). According to determined growth and increment dynamics, introduction of black walnut in the appropriate habitat was proved justified. Even higher productivity of black walnut cultures could be achieved by paying more attention to plantation cultivation, especially timely thinning
