Foliar nutrient variation in four species of upland oak

Abstract

Sampling of forest tree foliage for nutrient analyses is commonly restricted to specific and often dificult-to-reach locations such as the uppermost sun leaves growing on the south side of the crown. A study of 60-year-old red, white, chestnut, and scarlet oaks growing near Parsons, West Virginia, suggests that the easier-to-reach foliage from the lower crown is equally well suited for nutrient sampling. In this study, 10 individuals of each species were sampled. Foliage samples were taken from the terminal shoot, from each cardinal point in the upper unshaded section of the crown, from each cardinal point in the lower section, and from interior crown positions. Samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe; and variation within trees, among trees of similar species, and between species was determined for each element. Direction of foliage orientation within the crown did not influence nutrient composition. Concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg were generally higher in the lower than in the upper crown, while N, P, Mn and Fe concentrations were unrelated to position. Tree-to-tree variation was approximately the same for all crown positions. Many differenees in foliar nutrient composition occurred among species.

Citation

Auchmoody, L. R.; Hammack, K. P. 1975. Foliar nutrient variation in four species of upland oak. Res. Pap. NE-331. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 16p.