Nutrient uptake and removal by Christmas tree harvest

ABSTRACT

Writing nutrient management plans for Christmas tree production requires accurate values for nutrient removal and harvest records. Freshly cut trees of each of Norway spruce (Picea abies), Canaan fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were collected in December 2005. Minimum, maximum, and mean cut tree size measurements were documented. Nutrient contents were calculated and there were no significant differences in nutrient uptake values among species. In a spacing of 1.5 m × 1.5 m (4302 trees per hectare), a clear-cut harvest would remove on average (kg/ha) 560 nitrogen (N), 60.87 phosphorus (P), 168 potassium (K), 243.51 calcium (Ca), 37.75 magnesium (Mg), 28.25 sulfur (S), 0.54 boron (B), 3.39 iron (Fe), 4.74 manganese (Mn), 0.11 copper (Cu), 2.79 zinc (Zn), 2.92 aluminum (Al), 105.85 chlorine (Cl), 0.02 molybdenum (Mo), and 1.44 sodium (Na). Except for Mn and Na, nutrient removal increased linearly as dry weight of whole tree increased.

KEYWORDS:

• Whole-tree harvest
• phosphorus
• nitrogen
• potassium
• nutrient management plan
• Norway spruce
• Douglas fir
• Canaan fir
• soil fertility

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Stephanie Murphy, James Justin, and James Nichnadowicz for reviewing and providing valuable comments throughout the writing of this manuscript.