The Nutrition and Growth of Ash, Fraxinus Excelsior, in Natural Stands in the English Lake District as Related to Edaphic Site Factors

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The study was based on thirty-one sample stands of ash, Fraxinus excelsior, from a wide range of sites. Height/age curves were constructed, based on the dominant and co-dominant trees and site index curves were proportioned from them. Height at age 50 years was thus determined for each sample plot and used as a measure of growth rate. It was shown to be positively correlated both with the concentration of N and Of P in the foliage. Further statistical analysis demonstrated that only N is directly related to height growth. Soil analysis from all the sample stands showed that of all the soil factors analyzed only the loss-on-ignition ( =humus)/N ratio was significantly and inversely related to foliar N. Thus soils with low humus/N ratios, probably nitrifying soils, bear ash trees with high foliar N and high rates of growth.