Summary
Sample trees up to 55 years of age from nine natural woodlands of birch at Holme Fen Nature Reserve were analysed for sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Data are given of the amounts of these elements in the leaves, branches, boles, and in some cases of roots for the sample trees and the stock of the tree stands. The average annual uptake of nutrients and the return of nutrients to the soil as the woodlands mature are estimated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ingestad, T., Studies on the nutrition of forest tree seedlings I. Mineral nutrition of birch. Physiol. Plantarum10, 418 (1957).
Kassas, M., Studies in the ecology of Chippenham Fen III. The Forty Acre Wood. J. Ecol.40, 50 (1952).
Kassas, M., Studies in the ecology of Chippenham Fen IV. Tree and bush colonization in South Chippenham Fen. J. Ecol.62, 50 (1952).
Leyton, L., Needle composition in relation to the growth and nutrition of Japanese larch.In: Plant Analysis and Fertilizer Problems. I.R.H.O. Paris, 143 (1957).
Madgwick, H. A. I. and Ovington, J. D., The chemical composition of precipitation in adjacent forest and open plots. Forestry (In press) (1958).
Ovington, J. D., The composition of tree leaves. Forestry29, 22 (1956).
Ovington, J. D., The volatile matter, organic carbon and nitrogen contents of tree species grown in close stands. New Phytologist56, 1 (1957).
Ovington, J. D. and Madgwick, H. A. I., The sodium, potassium and phosphorus contents of tree species grown in close stands. New Phytologist58, 273 (1958).
Ovington, J. D. and Madgwick, H. A. I., The growth and composition of natural stands of birch I. Dry matter production. Plant and Soil10, 271–283 (1959).
Piper, C. S., Soil and Plant Analysis. Monograph from the Waite Agricultural Research Institute (1950).
Remezov, N. P., The role of the biological circulation of the elements in soils formation under the forests. Sixième Congr. de la Sci. Sol 6e Congr. Paris 1956E, 269 (1956).
Rennie, P. J., The uptake of nutrients by mature forest growth. Plant and Soil7, 49 (1955).
Tamm, C. O., Studies on Forest Nutrition. 3. The effects of supply of plant nutrients to a forest stand on a poor site. Medd. Statens Skogsforskn. Inst.46 (3), 34 pp. (1956).
Tamm, C. O., Studies on Forest Nutrition. 4. The effects of supply of potassium and phosphorus to a poor stand on drained peat. Medd. Statens Skogsforskn. Inst.46 (7), 27 pp. (1956).
Viro, P. J., Fertilization trials on forest soil. Comm. Inst. Forest. Fenniae37, 1–23 (1950).
Wright, T. W. and Will, G. M., The nutrient content of Scots and Corsican Pines growing on sand dunes. Forestry31, 13 (1958).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ovington, J.D., Madgwick, H.A.I. The growth and composition of natural stands of birch. Plant Soil 10, 389–400 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666212
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666212