Canadian Forest Service Publications
Nutrient availability and regeneration response after partial cutting and site preparation in eastern white pine. 2001. Burgess, D.M.; Wetzel, S. Pages 249-261 in J.R. Boyle and R.F. Powers, editors. Forest soils and ecosystem sustainability: selected and edited papers from the Ninth North American Forest Soils Conference, August 9-14, 2001, Tahoe City, CA. Elsevier, B.V., Amsterdam, Reprinted from the journal “Forest Ecology and Management” Vol. 138, Nos 1-3. 462 p.
Year: 2001
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 5513
Language: English
Availability: Not available through the CFS (click for more information).
Abstract
A 27-ha field experiment was set-up to study the effects of thinning, site preparation and underplanting in three 110-year-old natural eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) stands using a four replicate, randomized block design. Three thinning and four site preparation treatments were applied. White pine seedlings were underplanted in sub-plots. Three years after treatment, a sample of natural and planted white pine seedlings was harvested to characterize growth and nutrient uptake. Ion exchange resin bags were used to assess soil nutrient availability. Light (PAR), soil moisture and soil temperature were assessed throughout the growing season. Nutrient availability was lower in the third as compared to the second growing season after treatment. Generally, environmental conditions improved and nutrient uptake and seedling growth increased after the silvicultural treatments were applied. Early white pine seedling growth was greatest following thinning of the overstory to a two-crown spacing, together with scarification and brush control.