Use of wood waste in rehabilitation of landings constructed on fine-textured soils, central interior British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Rehabilitation of temporary landings and roads constructed on fine-textured Alfisols must ameliorate poor soil structure, high bulk densities, and greatly reduced organic matter. A long-term field experiment in the central interior of British Columbia (BC) was begun in 1995 to compare soil properties and seedling growth on landings rehabilitated with three operationally feasible treatments: (1) incorporation of waste wood chips (140 t/ha, oven-dry basis), supplemented with 600 kg N/ha; (2) subsoiling; and (3) shallow tillage combined with recovery and spreading of topsoil. After 4 years, soil bulk density at 7-14 cm depth was lowest in the chip incorporation treatment. Although total C, N, and S, and mineralizable N concentrations were highest in the topsoil recovery treatment, the chip incorporation treatment had the highest 3-year growth rates of hybrid white spruce (Picea glauca × engelmannii). Foliar analyses indicated that macro- and micronutrient concentrations were generally adequate, with only S and Mg being of concern. Establishment of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) did not succeed due to severe rodent damage to seedlings, perhaps encouraged by rapid and dense revegetation by seeded agronomic legumes. Silviculturists should consider treatments involving incorporation of chipped wood wastes, with appropriate supplementary N fertilization, in rehabilitation of access structures on fine-textured soils in the BC central interior. © 2004 by the Society of American Foresters.