Download (PDF 38 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/65859.pdf
Abstract
Treated wastewater is being irrigated on declining upland forest ecosystems in central Pennsylvania. To renew the forest community, four clearcut treatments were administered to determine the effects of season of harvest and residue on the resulting vegetation. Two years after the clearcut treatments, forb, grass and vine plants covered > 90 percent of the ground surface. Densities of naturally occurring seedling- and sapling-sized stems of shrub and tree species were insufficient for a fully stocked forest stand. Two years after clearcutting, the average densities of shrub and tree seedlingsized stems were 3,056 and 1,319 stems per hectare, respectively. The average densities of shrub and tree sapling-sized stems were 1,209 and 846 stems per hectare, respectively. There were some significant differences in densities among clearcut treatments, however, there was no consistently better treatment after two years. Artificial regeneration was used to augment natural regeneration. Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and pin oak (Q. palustris Muenchh.) were planted to evaluate their potential survival and growth in the wastewater conditions. At the end of the two growing seasons, overall average survival was 98 percent for green ash and 88 percent for quaking aspen. These two species responded to the additional nutrients and water, and after two growing seasons had overall average total heights of 156 centimeters and 222 centimeters, respectively. Neither northern red oak nor pin oak survived or grew as well as the green ash and quaking aspen. After two growing seasons, the oaks were smaller than when originally planted. Green ash and quaking aspen showed excellent potential to respond to the wastewater irrigation conditions and can be used to renew the forest stands.
Parent Publication
Citation
Ahlswede, L. M.; Browersox, T. W.; Jacobs, D. R. 1999. Renewing a forest ecosystem irrigated with treated wastewater. In: Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Loftis, David L., eds. 1999. Proceedings, 12th central hardwood forest conference; 1999 February 28-March 1-2; Lexington, KY. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-24. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 293 p
