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Potential for Nutrient Depletion by Short Rotation Harvest of Sweetgum¹

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine if short rotation harvests of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) could deplete a clayey soil of nutrients. Sixteen trees in late summer and another 16 in early winter were harvested to determine the nutrient distribution in an 11-year-old plantation. Nutrient removal for several harvesting alternatives were projected. Nutrient removal would be in the order of August whole-tree chip > November whole-tree chip >> harvest of bole with bark > harvest of bolewood only. Nutrient losses through less intensive harvests are made up for by nutrient additions in rainfall. Even at the high rate of removal incurred with summer whole-tree chipping, hundreds of 11-year rotations would be necessary to deplete the soil of nutrients.

¹ Contribution from Southern Forest Exp. Stn., USDA-FS, New Orleans, LA 70113, in cooperation with the Mississippi Agric; and For. Exp. Stn. and the Southern Hardwood For. Res. Group, both of Stoneville, Miss.

² Soil Scientist, USDA-FS, Southern Hardwoods Laboratory, Stoneville, Miss., and Supervisory Principal Silviculturist, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Monticello, Ark.

Received for publication October 27, 1981. Accepted for publication April 16, 1982.