The relative growth of three forest tree species on soils associated with different successional stages in Virginia
| Authors: | John F. Hosner, David L. Graney |
| Year: | 1970 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| Source: | American Midland Naturalist |
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative effects of soils associated with old-field succession upon the growth of three indigenous tree species, Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). Seedlings were transplanted into undisturbed cores of soil removed from locations representing stages of the old-field successional pattern of the southern Piedmont region of Virginia: abandoned fields, 10- to 20-year-old pine stands, 50- to 70-year-old pine stands, and climax oak-hickory stands. All samples were of Cecil fine sandy loam soils. Height growth and total dry-weight production of yellow poplar were significantly greater on soils from the old-field and young pine sites. Little growth of yellow poplar seedlings occurred on soils from the mature pine and climax hardwood sites. Loblolly and Virginia pine seedlings produced significantly greater height growth on soils from the young pine sites; however, no significant differences in total dry-weight production occurred between these species on any of the four sites. The largest shoot/root ratios produced by the pine species were associated with soils from the 10- to 20-year pine sites while yellow poplar showed little variation with respect to site. No significant differences were found between mean shoot/root ratio values of yellow poplar seedlings grown on soils from the four sites. It appears that changes in the characteristics of soils associated with the secondary successional pattern of the southern Piedmont area of Virginia are probably the result and not the cause of the successive changes of dominant species. Environmental factors such as light, temperature, and moisture, plus other factors such as species tolerance, seed dispersal and resistance to desiccation are probably the dominant ones in determining the successional pattern of abandoned fields of the Virginia Piedmont.