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Potential for Nutrient Depletion by Short Rotation Harvest of Sweetgum
Author(s) -
Francis John K.,
Baker James B.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600050049x
Subject(s) - liquidambar styraciflua , nutrient , bark (sound) , environmental science , soil nutrients , agronomy , horticulture , biology , ecology
This study was conducted to determine if short rotation harvests of sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua L.) could deplete a clayey soil of nutrients. Sixteen trees in late summer and another 16 in early winter were harvested to determine the nutrient distribution in an 11‐year‐old plantation. Nutrient removal for several harvesting alternatives were projected. Nutrient removal would be in the order of August whole‐tree chip > November whole‐tree chip ≫ harvest of bole with bark > harvest of bolewood only. Nutrient losses through less intensive harvests are made up for by nutrient additions in rainfall. Even at the high rate of removal incurred with summer whole‐tree chipping, hundreds of 11‐year rotations would be necessary to deplete the soil of nutrients.