Fertilization is a silvicultural practice used to increase forest productivity. Typically the process is only used in intensively managed plantations of loblolly pine. Nutrient demand is greatest in stands when the crowns of the trees are rapidly expanding. Large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium are required to meet the growing needs of individual trees. Younger stands differ in their nutrient requirements when compared to older, established stands. This is due to the size of the root systems, as well as the changes in nutrient levels contained in the soils. As the stands age, they must seek nutrients from the more acidic and less fertile lower soil horizons or depend upon the replenishment of the nutrient pool in the upper soil horizons. |
Harvesting and site preparation techniques often increase the availability of nutrients on all sites, with the exception of the most infertile soils. Specifically, harvesting and site preparation increases levels of nitrogen to limits exceeding those required by young seedlings. This increased nutrient availability is often demonstrated in rapid early growth of herbaceous and woody vegetation that may compete with planted pines. In this section, we will take a look at the following topics: |
