Determining and evaluating nutrient losses following whole-tree harvesting of aspen.

Nutrient loss following whole-tree harvesting of Populus tremuloides was assessed on coarse-loamy Typic Fragiochrepts in NE Minnesota. After adjusting for leaching flux, only Ca showed a statistically significant loss associated with harvest in the first 5 yr after harvest (60 kg/ha). Over a 60-yr rotation, precipitation and normal weathering will replace N, P, and K lost by product removal and deep leaching, will replace about one-half the Mg, but will not replace Ca. Because of their initial abundance in the soil, Ca and Mg will probably not become nutritionally deficient, but their loss may lead to accelerated soil acidification and associated secondary effects. -from Author