Some Long-Time Effects of Fertilization on Red Pine Plantations

Author: Heiberg Svend O.   Madgwick H. A. I.   Leaf Albert L.  

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

ISSN: 0015-749X

Source: Forest Science, Vol.10, Iss.1, 1964-03, pp. : 17-23

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Abstract

Recent mensurational data obtained from fertilized and unfertilized plots of 30- to 35-year-old red pine plantations supported by coarse outwash sand has demonstrated that very highly significant responses in increased total height and internodal growth, increased basal area, and decreased number of live whorls on dominant trees has resulted from potassium fertilization. Maximum height growth response was attained in the fifth or sixth year followed by a slight decrease in response which is still 45 percent above unfertilized trees 20 years after fertilization. It is postulated that the longevity of response to potassium is due to the combination of a site inherently low in productivity plus a history of severe degradation by exploitive agriculture.