Yield and Nutrient Removal by Whole-Tree Harvest of a Young Bottomland Hardwood Stand

John K. Francis

doi:10.2737/SO-RN-305

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Yield and Nutrient Removal by Whole-Tree Harvest of a Young Bottomland Hardwood Stand

Informally Refereed

Authors:

John K. Francis

Year:

1984

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/SO-RN-305

Source:

Res. Note SO-305. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.

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Download (PDF 95 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/1787.pdf

Abstract

The yield and nutrient withdrawal by whole-tree harvest of young bottomland hardwoods has heretofore been unknown. In this study of intensive harvest, samples of chipped whole trees and soil from 16 test plots were analyzed for nutrient content. Eighty-two percent of the stems and 59 percent of the dry weight were green ash. The balance was divided among a number of other species. Dry weight yields averaged 37,114 lbs/a in summer and 31,964 lbs/a in winter. The annual productivity was 1.45 dry t/a/yr, which is comparable to other stands of similar age. Summer chipping removed 176 lbs N, 22 lbs P, 115 Ibs K, 240 Ibs Ca, and 23 lbs Mg/a. Soil reserves of these nutrients were found to be high enough to sustain intensive harvests for many 11-year rotations.

Keywords

Biomass, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, nutrient depletion

Citation

Francis, John K. 1984. Yield and Nutrient Removal by Whole-Tree Harvest of a Young Bottomland Hardwood Stand. Res. Note SO-305. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.