Choice of Land
The choice of land is always an important factor in achieving good results. Hybrid poplars will grow well under a wide range of soil characteristics. However, it has also been shown that these plants perform better when grown on more fertile soils than on poorer soils, except in areas where limitations (e.g. high pH) may reduce growth.
The soils selected should have good moisture holding capacity; the plants are tolerant of wet soils and may tolerate standing water for short periods of time.
Hybrid poplars do not tolerate shade and should be planted in an open area. As with other crops, soil tests for nutrients are always recommended and the advice of a specialist is essential to successful short rotation forestry.
| SITE SELECTION CRITERIA * | |
| Soil Type | Loams |
| pH of Soil | 5.5 to 7.8 |
| Slope | Less than 8% |
| Flooding | Avoid areas with summer flooding |
| Organic Matter | 3% to 8% |
| Soil Water | High holding capacity or shallow watertable |
| Fertility | Moderate to high levels of P and K |
| Hardpan | Avoid soils with hardpan in rooting zone |
* For more details, contact any of the following people:
Wendell Johnson
University of Minnesota,
Crookston
WJOHNSON@MAIL.CRK.UMN.EDU
(218) 281-8262
Edward Wene
Agricultural Utilization
Research Institute - Crookston, Minnesota
EWENE@AURI.ORG
(218) 281-7600