Vegetation changes caused by glyphosate application or hand cutting were evaluated on five experimental sites. Reactions on Norway spruce(Picea abiesL.) were also recorded.Betulaspp. andSorbus aucupariaappeared sensitive to glyphosate and the rate of recoverage of the canopy was related to the extent of control. Vegetative regeneration was stimulated by hand cutting and suppressed by glyphosate. Except for fems, which showed high sensitivity to glyphosate and slow regeneration, the great majority of species in the height level below 1 meter were classified as moderately tolerant. The successional development appeared relatively rapid. Glyphosate application caused an increase in the diversity of the plant community established after application. The release of Norway spruce from competition following glyphosate application caused a more rapid increase in the number of plants higher than 50 cm on glyphosate areas than on reference areas.