Biomass and Nutrient Accumulation in a Cottonwood Plantation - The First Four Years

John K. Francis; James B. Baker

doi:10.2737/SO-RN-278

Treesearch

Biomass and Nutrient Accumulation in a Cottonwood Plantation - The First Four Years

Informally Refereed

Authors:

John K. Francis, James B. Baker

Year:

1981

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/SO-RN-278

Source:

Res. Note SO-278. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.

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Abstract

For the first 4 years, height increment of an eastern cottonwood plantation on a clayey soil was greatest in the first growing season; diameter growth was greatest in the second growing season; and annual production of biomass was greatest in the third year. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and possibly magnesium are translocated from leaves into bark and other tissue before leaf abscission in the fall. There is no evidence for translocation of potassium or calcium. While removal of nutrients per ton of biomass would be greatest the first year, loss per hectare would be as great or greater in later years, due to higher annual yield. Whole-tree chipping would remove considerably more nutrients from the site than harvesting of boles only. After year 2, there is little difference in nutrient loss between summer and winter bole removal.

Keywords

Populus deltoides Bartr, nutrient cycling, nutrient translocation

Citation

Francis, John K.; Baker, James B. 1981. Biomass and Nutrient Accumulation in a Cottonwood Plantation - The First Four Years. Res. Note SO-278. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.