| Summary: | <p><em>Aim of the study</em>: The aim of the research is to analyse the role of <em>Quercus ilex</em> advance regeneration in the stand regeneration of pine plantations after small-sized canopy openings, and to assess the influence of the forest stand and the canopy opening. The performance of the advance regeneration under the pine plantation is also examined.</p><p><em>Area of study</em>: A <em>Pinus nigra</em> plantation in dry Continental Mediterranean climate in eastern Spain.</p><p><em>Materials and Methods</em>: The tree regeneration of ten canopy openings of 0.17-0.43 ha was monitored during five years after treatment. It was also sampled in 0.12 ha-plots in the non-treated pine plantation surrounding the openings.</p><p><em>Main results</em>: An important increase in the height of <em>Q. ilex</em> regeneration was observed in the openings, unlike what was found in the intact pine plantation. In the pine plantation, stand density showed a moderate positive influence on the density of <em>Q. ilex</em> regeneration, whereas in the canopy gaps <em>Q. ilex</em> height was negatively influenced by stand density before the opening.</p><p><em>Research highlights</em>: The canopy opening triggered a response in <em>Q. ilex</em> advance regeneration, although height growth rates seemed to reduce over time. The results support the view that promoting <em>Q. ilex</em> in pine plantations may require different management strategies depending on the characteristics of the pine overstorey and on the density and size of the advance regeneration.</p><p><strong>Key words:</strong> Mediterranean forest; stand initiation; seedling resprout; group selection cutting; truffle</p>
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