EFFECTS OF FERTILIZATION ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF A JAPANESE LARCH PLANTATION IN WEST-VIRGINIA

The effects of fertilization on the growth and development of a Japane se larch plantation in central West Virginia were evaluated after 9 ye ars. 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 t imes each year at an annual rate of 150 pounds per acre to 43 plots. S ix control plots were established and excluded from treatment. Larch t rees 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 t his apparent anomaly. Japanese larch demonstrated an ability to grow w ell on a very nutrient-deficient site and was not damaged by deer brow sing.