Classical succession theory suggests that changes occur as the existing plants, animals, microorganisms alter the conditions within the community. However, attempts to predict the stages of succession have frequently failed. Succession studies have been largely descriptive. Succession is slow, thus researchers have been forced to study succession across space rather than time. Sassafras and persimmon would appear to be necessary stages in succession of oak hardwood forests in the southern Midwest, but on better soils, tulip trees or sugar maple may follow.
Foresters often plant southern pines which are readily invaded by hardwoods.
Planted stands of black locust tend to be invaded by elm, black cherry, boxelder, hackberry, and other mesic species. Cites studies of plantings on old fields in southern Indiana where trees grew better on land that had originally been a locust forest than on land that had been prairie grasses. Black walnut and red oak died out after 10 years on the herbaceous fields. Results related to foliar nitrogen levels, noncapillary soil pore volume, bulk density, and organic matter content, and mycorrhizal and phosphorus studies. Late succession species usually fail if planted in disturbed or open sites.