United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Effects of Fertilization on the 

Forest Service Growth and Development of 

Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station a Japanese Larch Plantation 

Research Paper NE-700 in west Virginia 

James N. Kochenderfer 

H. Clay Smith 

Jerry T. Crews 
Abstract 

The effects of fertilization on the growth and development of a Japanese larch 

plantation in central West Virginia were evaluated after 9 years. After mechanical 

site preparation of the entire study area (22.1 acres) in the fall of 1983, larch 

were planted in the spring of 1984. Beginning in April 1987, ammonium sulfate 

was applied aerially three times each year at an annual rate of 150 pounds per 

acre to 43 plots. Six control plots were established and excluded from treatment. 

Larch trees grew better on the unfertilized plots. Mean height for all trees after 9 

years was 18.6 feet on the unfertilized plots compared to 15.8 feet on the 

fertilized plots. Average diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) for the unfertilized and 

fertilized plots was 1.9 and 1.6 inches, respectively. Foliar and soil chemical 

analyses were used to examine this apparent anomaly. Japanese larch 

demonstrated an ability to grow well on a very nutrient-deficient site and was not 

damaged by deer browsing. 

The Authors 

JAMES N. KOCHENDERFER, research forester, H. CLAY SMITH, retired 

silviculturist, and JERRY T. CREWS, forester, are members of the Northeastern 

Forest Experiment Station's Timber and Watershed Laboratory, Parsons, West 

Virginia. 

Manuscript received for publication 7 February 1995 

Cover Photo 

A 25-foot-tall Japanese larch Qrowing on the study area. 

USDA FOREST SERVICE 

5 RADNOR CORP CTR STE 200 

PO BOX 6775 

RADNOR PA 19087-8775 

August 1995 
Introduction 

Forests in the central hardwood region contain many 

acres where site quality is too low to grow quality 

hardwoods. If an eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L. ) 

seed source exists, white pine often becomes established 

and grows well. For example, areas in the southern 

Appalachians with an oak site index of 57 have a white 

pine index of 67 (Dwlittle 1958). When white pine has 

been planted on cutover land, the slow growth of white 

pine during the early stages of development usually 

requires at least one and possibly two releases from 

competing hardwood vegetation to ensure establishment 

of a satisfactory number of pine (Wendel 1971). Also, in 

many areas severe browsing by white-tailed deer 

(Odocoileus virginianus) interferes with establishment of 

white pine seedlings. 

As an alternative to white pine, Japanese larch (Larix 

leptolepis (Sieb and Zucc.)) was planted on poor-quality 

hardwood sites in Pennsylvania (Shipman 1973, 1979). 

Japanese larch had relatively rapid growth on these poor 

sites and had the ability to recover from deer browsing 

with little effect on growth. It also has been used 

successfully to revegetate surface mine spoil banks (Hart 

and Bymes 1960). Japanese larch of good provenances 

is generally considered one of the fastest growing conifers 

planted in northeastem North America (MacGillivray 1969; 

Cook 1971). Results from a study in Newfoundland 

indicated that Japanese larch outgrew tamarack (L. 

laricima (Du Roi) K. Koch.) and European larch (L. 

decidua Mill.) on the most productive sites (Hall 1983). 

After evaluating yield data from a 25-year-old provenance 

trial in the Maritime Region of eastern Canada, Fowler 

and others (1988) concluded that Japanese larch, when 

managed on short rotations, is capable of producing two 

or three times more wood than other conifer species 

commonly planted in the area. These authors pointed out 

that Japanese larch is genetically highly variable in terms 

of volume growth. Trees of the best provenances 

produced three times as much wood as trees of the 

poorest provenance. 

The objective of the West Virginia study was to evaluate 

the effects of fertilization on the growth and development 

of a 9-year-old Japanese larch plantation and to 

determine the suitability of using this species for planting 

on lower quality sites in the central Appalachian region. 

Study Area 

The study area (22.1 acres) located (39' 9' N 79' 49' W) 

near Parsons, West Virginia, has a southern aspect and 

an average slope of 25 percent. Average elevation is 

2,600 feet. Predominant soil is Calvin channery silt loam 

(loamy-skeletal, mixed, mesic Typic Dystrochrept) 

underlain with fractured sandstone and shale of the 

Hampshire formation (Losche and Beverage 1967). 

Annual precipitation for the 9-year period averaged 64 

inches, 31 inches during the growing season and 33 

inches during the dormant season. The average length of 

the frost-free season during the study was 146 days. The 

approximate site index is 65 for northern red oak 

(Quercus rubra L.). Deer populations around the study 

area between 1984 to 1990 were estimated at about 40 

per square mile, based on annual buck kill (Pers. 

commun., Walter Lesser, West Virginia DNR, 1994). 

The area was farmed until 1930. After farming ended, 

natural revegetation by poor-quality hardwoods proceeded 

until November 1983. Avegetation survey taken in 

October 1983 indicated that 39 percent of the 

pretreatment surface area was classed as 'openH--not 

shaded by other vegetation. Approximately 3 acres were 

still in old fields dominated by a variety of grasses, for 

example, Panicom spp. and tall redtop (T-iodia flora L.); 

widely scattered mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia L.); 

clumps of blueberries (Vaccinium spp. L.); and small 

hardwoods. The remaining area was forested. Common 

species were red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sassafras 

(Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees), flowering dogwood 

(Comus florida L.), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), 

sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum (L.) DC), and hickory 

(Carya spp. Nun.). 

Methods 

Most trees larger than 6 inches d.b.h. were cut on the 

study area in the fall of 1983. The area was prepared for 

planting in November 1983 with a mechanical sitepreparation treatment consisting of root-raking and 

windrowing slash on the contour using a D7F tractor 

equipped with a root rake (Kochenderfer and Helvey 

1989). The treated area (22.1 acres) was planted in April 

1984 with 2-0 Japanese larch at approximately a 6- by 6- 

foot spacing. Planting stock was obtained from the New 

York State Nursery at Saratoga Springs, New York. Aerial 

views of the study area taken in 1984 and 1993 show a 

3.5-acre untreated buffer zone along the stream and the 

development of the larch plantation (Figs. 1 and 2). 

A 100- by 100-foot grid of 93 permanent sampling points 

marked with 0.5-inch reinforcing rod was systematically 

established on the treated area. In May 1984, 0.01-acre 

plots were established around alternate sampling points 

(43 plots). All larch on these plots was permanently 

marked and the trees numbered. In addition to survival 

status, total height to the nearest one-tenth of a foot, 

d.b.h., and condition class were recorded for each larch. 

Four condition classes were used to describe the larch 

trees: 

1. Good vigordominant or codominant trees 

with at least one-half of the crown above 

competing vegetation. 

2. Medium vigorintermediate trees with less 

than one-half of the crown above competing 

vegetation. 

3. Poor vigor--trees with crowns shorter than 

surrounding vegetation or trees completely 

overtopped by competing vegetation. 

4. Dead trees. 

Trees were measured in May 1984, September 1985. 

October 1986. and April 1993. 
Figure 1.-Aerial view of the study area, summer 1984. 

Beginning in April 1987, the larch plantation was included 

in an artificial acidification study (Adams and others 

1993). Granular ammonium sulfate fertilizer (21-0-0-24, 

relative proportions of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus). K 

(potassium), and S (sulfur)) was applied by helicopter 

three times each year to the 43 (0.01-acre) plots. 

Fertilizer was applied annually in March, July, and 

November. To mimic seasonal ambient deposition, 30 

pounds per acre of fertilizer were applied in March and 

November and 90 pounds per acre in July for a total 

annual application rate of 150 pounds per acre. The 

application of 31.5 pounds per acre per year of N is twice 

the ambient rate of N falling on the site but very low when 

compared to the 150 pounds per acre per year often 

applied to field crops. 

Larch was permanently mar :ed and numbered on six 

40- by 50-foot control plots (d.0459-acre) that were 

established on the study area. Buffers were established 

around these plots, and they were excluded from the 

fertilizer treatments. The same measurements were 

made on the unfertilized plots that were made on the 

0.01-acre fertilized plots. Measurements were recorded 

on the unfertilized plots in November 1986 and April 1993. 
Figure ?..--Aerial view of the study area. April 1993. 

3 
In August 1993, foliar samples were collected from 

dominant and codominant larch trees for chemical 

analyses. Foliar samples were collected from currentyear needles in the upper one-third of the crowns of two 

trees at three locations on each unfertilized plot. Samples 

were also collected from current-year needles in the upper 

one-third of the crowns of two trees at three locations on 

nearby fertilized plots. A total of 18 fertilized and 16 

unfertiiized foliar samples were collected. Tissue samples 

were analyzed at the Plant and Soil Analysis Laboratory at 

the University of Maine for total N, P, K, calcium (Ca), 

magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), Boron (B), Copper (Cu), 

Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) content. 

In March 1994, soil samples were collected at the same 

locations as the foliar samples. Soils were sampled from 

both fertilized and unfertilized sites. A total of 72 samples 

(36 from fertilized area and 36 from unfertilized area) was 

collected. In each of the fertilized and unfertilized sites, 

18 samples were coilected at the 15.2 cm depth and 18 

samples were collected at the 30.5 cm depth. Soil 

samples were analyzed at the Soil Analysis Laboratory at 

the Ohio State University for pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn. 

The cation-exchange capacity (CEC) was also calculated. 

Results and Discussion 

Survival on Fertillzed Plots 

Japanese larch was tallied on 43 (0.01-acre) plots in May 

1984 immediately after planting. The survey indicated 

that the actual number of larch planted averaged 1,088 

per acre with an initial average planting spacing of 6.3 by 

6.3 feet. In 1984. to be considered 100 percent stocked. 

it was assumed there should be at least 11 larch trees on 

each plot. On this basis. average stocking in 1984 was 51 

percent. This indicates that planting was not uniform. In 

some areas, seedlings were overabundant while in others 

they were insufficient to meet initial stocking criteria. 

Survival in 1985, after two growing seasons, was 82 

percent--the average number of live trees had decreased 

to 893 per acre (Table 1). By 1993, nine growing seasons 

after planting, survival was 65.3 percent, and the number 

of live trees had decreased to 712 trees per acre. This 

indicates (current 1993) average larch spacing of 7.8 by 

7.8 feet on the fertilized portions of the study area. 

If only trees in condition class 1 and 2 are considered 

acceptable growing stock, there were 556 trees per acre 

and survival was 51 percent in 1993 (Table 1). This 

translates into a spacing of 8.9 by 6.9 feet. If at least four 

trees in condition class 1 or 2 on each 0.01-acre plot are 

considered adequate stocking, stocking after nine growing 

seasons was 74.4 percent. if only trees in condition class 

1 are considered acceptable growing stock, there were 

372 trees per acre in 1993. This corresponds to an 

average spacing of 10.8 by 10.8 feet. Survival of 

condition class 1 trees after nine growing seasons was 

65.6 percent. However, if a minimum of four trees in 

condition class 1 on each 0.01-acre plot is considered 

adequate stocking. then stocking in 1993 was 51.2 

percent. Portions of the study area are still overstocked 

while others appear understocked. 

Survival on Unfertilized Plots 

The initial tally in 1986 indicated there were 987 trees per 

acre (Table 1). This corresponds to an average tree 

spacing of 6.6 by 6.6 feet. By 1993, the number of live 

trees had decreased to 882 trees per acre and average 

tree spacing increased to approximately 7 by 7 feet. 

Su~ival after six growing seasons was 89.4 percent. 

More trees were in condition class 1 on the unfertilized 

plots than on the fertilized plots. In 1986 and 1993, 

respectively, 45.6 and 52.2 percent of the unfertilized 

trees were in condition class 1 as opposed to 30.5 and 

34.2 percent of the fertilized trees that were in condition 

class 1. This greater percentage of condition class 1 

trees on the unfertiiized plots is probably due to the initial 

uneven stocking discussed earlier. The number of trees 

in condition class 1 increased on the fertilized and 

unfertilized plots between 1986 and 1993. This is 

encouraging because it means that some of the condition 

class 2 trees were able to outgrow the rather severe 

hardwood competition prevalent on much of the study 

area and advance into condition class 1 trees. An 

average tree spacing of approximately 9.2 by 9.2 feet is 

indicated if only unfertilized condition class 1 trees are 

considered as potential crop trees in 1993. 

Table 1.-Average number of trees par acre and percentage of trees, by condition class 

Pre-treatment (1986)' Post-treatment (1993) 

Condition 

class 1985 Fertilized Unfertilized Fertilized Unfertilized 

Treed Treed Treed Treed Trees' 

acre Percent acre Percent acre Percent acre Percsnt acre Percent 

1 442 40.6 332 30.5 450 45.6 372 34.2 515 52.2 

2 277 25.4 235 21.6 319 32.3 184 16.8 171 17.3 

3 174 16.0 291 26.8 216 22.1 156 14.3 196 19.9 

4 195 18.0 230 21.1 - 376 34.7 105 10.6 

Total 1,088 100.0 1,088 100.0 987 100.0 1,088 100.0 987 100.0 

*Fertilization began in April 1987. 
Spacing Requirements 

Because larch is usually regarded as one of the most 

intolerant conifers, wide spacing is generally 

recommended. Cook (1971) recommended initial spacing 

of up to 6 by 20 feet. Turner and Myers (1972) found that 

diameter growth declined between age 19 to 24 in a 

Japanese larch plantation in Vermont with an initial 

spacing of 7 by 14 feet. They attributed the growth 

decline to between-row crown closure and recommended 

close observation and prompt cultural treatments because 

of rapid growth. Carter (1987) also recommended wide 

spacing and early thinnings for larch because of its 

intolerance and rapid growth. 

Height Growth 

There were no significant differences in height of the larch 

trees growing on the fertilized and unfertilized plots in 

1986 for any of the condition classes (Table 2). Trees in 

condition class 1 averaged 1.4 feet taller than those in 

condition class 2 and were more than twice as tall as 

those in condition class 3. 

In 1993, after nine growing seasons, average height of 

the unfertilized larch trees was significantly greater (0.05 

level) than that for fertilized trees in all condition classes 

(Table 2). For example, average height of larch trees in 

condition class 1 growing on the unfertilized plots 

averaged 22 feet versus 19.1 feet for trees growing on the 

fertilized plots. Unfertilized larch lrees in condition 

classes 1 and 2 were approximately 2 feet taller than 

fertilized trees growing in the same condition class. 

The mean height of all larch trees after nine growing 

seasons was 18.6 feet on the unfertilized plots and 15.6 

feet on the fertilized plots. The tallest larch tree 

measured was 31 feet. Growth of the Japanese larch in 

this study compares favorably with the height-age curve 

developed for the fastest growing provenance in a trial of 

20 Japanese seed sources in eastern Canada 

(Magnussen and Park 1991). Height growth was also 

similar to that observed for several species of Larix and 

some larch hybrids in an 8-year-old progeny test in 

Wisconsin (Reimenschneider and Nienstaedt 1983). 

Diameter Growth 

Average diameter of unfertilized trees in condition classes 

1 and 2 was significantly larger than that of fertilized trees 

(Table 3). Average diameter of fertilized and unfertilized 

trees in condition class 3 was not significantly different. 

As expected, most of the larch basal area occurred in the 

larger condition class 1 trees. Seventy-nine percent of 

the total basal area of the fertilized trees was in condition 

class 1, while 85 percent of the total basal area of the 

unfertilized trees was in condition class 1. Total basal area 

of the unfertilized trees in condition class 1 was more than 

1.5 times greater than basal area of the fertilized trees. 

Table 2.-Average height of larch trees, by condltlon class for fertilized and unfertilized trees 

Average 6-year height 

Pre-treatment (1986)' Post-treatment (1993) growth (1986-1 993) 

Condition 

class 1985 Fertilized Unfertilized Fertilized Unfertilized Fertilized Unfertilized 

...................................................................... 

1 2.3 3.9 (O.l)bac 4.0 (0.l)a 19.1 (0.3)b 22.0 (0.3)~ 15.2 18.0 

2 1.7 2.5 (0.l)a 2.6 (0.l)a 14.6 (0.4)b 16.6 (0.4)~ 12.1 14.0 

3 1.3 1.8 (0.l)a 1.8 (0.l)a 9.5 (0.5)b 11.2 (0.6)~ 7.7 9.4 

*Fertilization began in April 1987. 

bSandard error. 

"For a given year and condition class, means followed by different letten are significantiy different at a=0.05 (analysis of variance 

followed byTukey's HSD test). 

Table 3.-1993 average d.b.h. and basal area of larch trees, by condition class for fertilized and unfertilized trees 

No. trees No. treeslacre Average d.b.h. Basal areafacre 

Condition 

class Fertilized Unfertilized Fertilized Unfertilized Fertilized Unfertilized Fertilized Unfertilized 

- - . - - - - Inch&+ - - . - . - . - - - - - - .FtZ . . . ,. . . . 

.Standard error. 

OFor a given condition class, means followed by different letters are significantly different at a=0.05 (analysis of variance followed by 

Tukey's HSD test). 
Table 4.-Selected analyses of Calvin channery silt loam soil from the study site 

Soil depth Selected elemental analysesa 

(cm) pHb Ca Mg K P Mn CEC ..-..--.--------.....---- mgkgl ----.....-.-----.....--.-- - -cmol kg'- - 

FERTILIZEDC 

0-15.2 4.6ad (0.1)B 364a (38.1) 51.0a (1.5) 68.9a (3.0) 2.4a (0.2) 54.6a (3.9) 12.7a (0.5) 

15.2-30.5 4.6~ (0.1) 456b (72.6) 55.9~ (2.9) 57.6b (2.8) 1.6~ (0.2) 24.2b (5.0) 12.1~ (0.6) 

UNFERTILIZED 

0-15.2 4.4b (0.03) 312a (17.6) 46.2b (1.6) 79.5a (5.6) 1.9b (0.2) 58.3a (5.9) 14.7b (0.5) 

15.2-30.5 4.5~ (0.03) 488b (14.4) 41.3~ (1.7) 72.6~ (3.5) 1.4~ (0.1) 18.2b (3.0) 14.4d (0.3) 

*Extraction was by NH, OAC buffered at pH 7.0. 

OExtraclion was made with one Dart soil and two Dalts H.O. 

(Selected sates were treateo slnce 1987 wlth (hH.),SO, at an annbal rale of 168 kg ha ' 

'For a wen soh depth and parameter. means followed by dsfferent letters are slgn~flcantly dlfferenl a1 n =O 05 (anatyss of 

variance followed by ~uke~'s HSDtesl) 

.Standard error. 

Soil Analysis 

Farming on the study site ceased in 1930 due to nutrient 

exhaustion (Lima et al. 1978). The soils are still depleted 

in nutrient content and are highly acidic (Table 4). Only 

Mg, K, and P showed significant differences in 

concentration when the fertilized and unfertilized soils 

were compared. The concentrations of most other 

elements evaluated in the study were higher at both 

depths on the fertilized sites, but the CEC was 

significantly higher in the unfertilized soil samples. 

The concentration of Mn extracted from the soil samples 

was much greater in the surface horizons than in the 

lower horizons of both fertilized and unfertilized soils 

(Table 4). Anions, such as SO, associated with K or NH, 

fertilizer sources have been reported to have differential 

effects on the solubility and mobility of Mn or its 

availability to crops (Graham et al. 1988). However, the 

mobility of Mn from the surface to lower soil horizons was 

not apparent in either fertilized or unfertilized soils in this 

study (Table 4). 

Foliar Analysis 

The foliar analysis of the larch tissue shows that larch will 

thrive on a poor site (Table 5). Concentrations of the 

reported macroelements (Ca, K, P, and N) and most 

metals in the plant tissue are within the medium range of 

concentrations reported for coniferous tree species (Leaf 

1973). Of the foliar elements analyzed, only the 

concentration of Mn was significantly higher on the 

fertilized sites, which may have resulted from (NH,), SO, 

applications. The Mn concentration was within the 

medium range of concentrations reported for coniferous 

tree species. Iron was the only element in the low range 

of reported concentrations. Higher concentrations of 

most metals in the plant tissue of species grown on highly 

acid soils are expected, but coniferous species are more 

tolerant of these metals than are other tree species (Leaf 

1973). The larch grew rapidly on the poor site and showed 

a high tolerance to the available metals present in the soils. 

Table 5.-Selected foliar analyses'of plant tissue from 

fertilized and unfertilized Japanese larch growing on 

the study site 

Element Fertilizedb Unfertilized 

---- 7.-....--....-. s' kg 

Ca 3.7 ar (0.20)d 3.7 a (0.20) 

K 8.4 a (0.30) 8.5 a (0.20) 

Mn 2.1 a (0.20) 1.5 b (0.20) 

N 22.0 a (0.30) 22.0 a (0.40) 

P 1.2 a (0.03) 1.5 b (0.03) 

Mg 0.8 a (0.05) 0.9 a (0.07) -.------..---. mg kg'- -. . . . - - - - - -. - 

Al 390.1 a (28.1) 420.9 a (26.9) 

B 22.7 a (1 .O) 22.6 a (1.1) 

Cu 4.1 a (0.1) 4.1 a (0.1) 

Fe 46.5 a (1.5) 42.8 a (1.1) 

Zn 21.3 a (0.4) 20.6 a (1 .O) 

8Plant tissue was analyzed by digesting samples in a hydrochloric 

perchloric acid mixture. Analyses were based on percent dvweight 

of foliartissue collected In the late summer. 

Want tissue was collected from sites treated with 168 kg ha-' of 

(NH,), SO, annually since 1987. 

cF~r a given element, means followed by different letters are 

significantly different ala=0.05 (analysis ofvariance followed by 

Tukey's HSD test) 

5tandard error. 
Adaptability 

Robbins (1985) has discussed the risks associated with 

growing non-native larches. The risks include frost 

susceptibility, shade intolerance, diseases, insects, and 

animal damage. However, to date, we have not 

encountered any serious problems. The second year 

after planting, a freeze occurred on April 23 when 

temperatures dropped to 24' F. This caused browning of 

the newly emerged needles, but the larch trees did not 

appear to incur any permanent damage. In January 

1993, heavy accumulations of snow and ice damaged a 

few larch trees growing adjacent to a road but other trees 

were not injured. Damage that might occur if heavy, wet 

snow accumulated on the trees in October or April when a 

substantial amount of foliage was on the trees is currently 

of some concern. Despite high deer populations in the 

study area during the first few years after planting, the 

larch suffered no damage from browsing. 

A longer obse~ation period is needed to determine if 

Japanese larch is adapted to the climate and growing 

conditions encountered at this study site. There is some 

evidence that Japanese larch does not perform well in 

West Virginia on drier sites at lower elevations. Japanese 

larch plantings on dry sites (c40 inches annual 

precipitation) at elevations near 1,000 feet in West Virginia 

failed, while a plantation established on a high-elevation 

site (3,700 feet) receiving 55 inches of annual 

precipitation had trees that averaged 23 feet tall and had 

an 80 percent survival at age 10 (Pers. commun., Bruce 

B. Brenneman, Westvaco Corp., 1995). 

Although there are areas of severe hardwood competition 

in some portions of this 9-year-old Japanese larch 

plantation, the site preparation treatment and the fairly 

rapid early height growth of the larch permitted it to 

become established and grow throughout most of the 

study area. Mean height of all the larch trees increased 

from 1.7 feet at the time of planting to 3 feet after three 

growing seasons. There were several condition class 1 

trees between 4 to 5 feet tall at the end of the third 

growing season. At this time, there appears to be a 

satisfactory number of trees in condition class 1 to ensure 

adequate stocking on most of the area. 

Summary 

After 9 years of growth, both the height and diameter of 

larch trees were significantly greater on the unfertilized 

plots. Mean height of all larch on unfertilized plots 

averaged 18.6 feet versus 15.8 feet on the fertilized plots. 

Diameters of larch grown on unfertilized plots averaged 

1.9 inches versus 1.6 inches on the fertilized plots. The 

heights of the larch were greater on unfertilized plots 

regardless of the condition class of the trees. The soils on 

both the fertilized and unfertilized sites were still highly 

acidic and nutrient deficient when evaluated after 9 years 

of tree growth. These early results indicate that Japanese 

larch would be a good choice for planting on poor sites with 

high deer populations in areas with similar climatic regimes. 

Nitrogen fertilization seems to be counterproductive and is 

not recommended. 

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Shipman, R. D. 1973. Converting low-grade hardwood 

forests to Japanese larch with fenuron herbicide. 

Tree Planter's Notes. 24(2): 1-4. 

Shipman, A. D. 1979. Converting low-grade oakhickory forests to Japanese larch with pelleted 

tebuthluron. In: Proceedings. Northeastern Weed 

Science Society Meeting. 33: 218-222. 

Turner, Terry L.; Myers, Charles C. 1972. Growth of 

Japanese larch in a Vermont Plantation. Bull. 672. 

Burlington, VT University of Vermont, Agricultural 

Experiment Station: 1-11. 

Wendel, G. W. 1971. Converting hardwoods on poor 

sites to whlte pine by planting and direct seeding. 

Res. Pap. NE-188. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest 

Experiment Station. 19 p. 
Kochenderfer, James N.; Smith. H. Clay; Crews, Jerry T. 1995. Effects of 

fertilization on the growth and development of a Japanese larch 

plantation in West Virginia. Res. Pap. NE-700. Radnor, PA: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment 

Station. 8 p. 

The effects of fertilization on the growth and development of a Japanese larch 

plantation in central West Virginia were evaluated after 9 years. Mean height 

and diameter growth of the larch trees were greater on the unfertilized plots. 

Foliar and soil chemical analyses were used to examine this apparent anomaly. 

Japanese larch demonstrated an ability to grow well on a very nutrient-deficient 

site and was not damaged by deer browsing. 

Keywords: Japanese larch, fertilization, height growth, diameter growth, 

central West V~rginia, foliar and soil chemistry 

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