The issue of leaving dead wood in forest ecosystems is currently the most widely discussed topic, particularly the relationship between the healthy trees and dead wood. In the presented work we focused on the role of dead wood for ecosystem processes using the model area LS Slanec where we can find both commercial and protective forests. The impact of dead wood on the overall health of the forest stands was assessed using a series of research plots (RP). The results of our field work proved that the amount and condition of dead wood in commercial forests are optimal. However, we observed different situation in protective forests where the amount, volume and condition of dead wood were on the verge of optimality. These facts have a fundamental impact on the health status as well as the overall ecological stability of the studied forest stands.