Fertilizing natural stands

Abstract

Given our present knowledge, and under current costs and returns, there appears to be little reason to fertilize natural stands of central hardwoods. Yet, some of the numerous fertilizer tests conducted with hardwoods over the past 50 years have shown very positive--but short-lived-growth responses. One "operational" (nonexperimental) use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on new black cherry stands has been successful on about 10,000 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania, on the fringe of the central hardwoods. Current costs of about 135 dollars per acre are justified by rapid height growth on soils severely deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus. This allows well established seedlings to outgrow severe deer browsing over the short term, avoiding spotty reproduction and occasional complete regeneration failure.

Parent Publication

• Central hardwood notes

Citation

Auchmoody, L. R. 1989. Fertilizing natural stands. In: Hutchinson, Jay G., ed. Central hardwood notes. St. Paul, MN.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 6.11