Ten-year growth of red and white oak crop trees following thinning and fertilization in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas
| Authors: | D.L. Graney |
| Year: | 1987 |
| Type: | Paper |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| Source: | Proceedings of the fourth biennial southern silvicultural research conference |
Abstract
A thinning and fertilization study of 50-year-old northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), black oak (Q. velutina Lam.), and white oak (Q. alba L.) was initiated in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas in the spring of 1975. Fertilizer applications of a nitrogen and phosphorus combination were broadcast at two levels to individual oaks that had received thinning or nonthinning treatments. Both levels of fertilization increased diameter growth of oaks in thinned and nonthinned stands. Maximum response to fertilization occurred during the first and second yearsafter treatment. Response continued through the sixth year for white oak and through the eighth year for red oaks. A significant diameter growth response to thinning occurred during the third growing season after treatment for red and black oaks and the fifth growing season for white oak. From this point, the rate of annual diameter growth for all oaks in thinned stands increased annually through the tenth year.