Title: Impact of forest liming on growth, vigor, and reproduction of sugar maple and associated hardwoods

Author: Long, Robert P.; Horsley, Stephen B.; Lilja, Paul R.

Year: 1999

Publication: In: Horsley, Stephen B.; Long, Robert P., eds. Sugar maple ecology and health: proceedings of an international symposium; 1998 June 2-4; Warren, PA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-261. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 55-58.

Abstract: In 1985 a long-term study was initiated by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the Northeastern Research Station to evaluate factors impeding regeneration of Allegheny hardwoods (Auchmoody, unpublished). The major factors suspected of limiting regeneration were high soil aluminum levels associated with low soil pH (typically 3.6 to 4.2 in surface mineral soils), deer browsing, and interfering vegetation such as hayscented fern (Dennstaedfia punctilobula (Michx.) Moore) and striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.). At that time, overstory sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) decline was just beginning to become a serious problem on the Allegheny Plateau. Subsequently, sugar maple decline became widespread across the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northwestern and north central Pennsylvania. A secondary objective of the study was to determine the effects of treatments on the growth and vigor of the three principal overstory species, sugar maple, American beech (Fagus grandifolia L.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and to evaluate the effects of treatments on sugar maple flower and seed production, and seedling regeneration. Results of this study through 1993 have been reported elsewhere (Long et al. 1997). and this report will summarize results through 1996 or 1997.