Ice Storm Damage to a Sweetgum Plantation Fertilized with Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Abstract

Ice storm damage to a 19-yr-old sweetgum plantation (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) fertilized with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) at age 4 was evaluated. Stem breakage was 39%, compared to 6% leaning, and 55% no damage. Fertilization did not influence the breakage, but dbh, crown diameter at age 15, and predicted dbh at the ice storm related to breakage. Overall, the mean dbh and crown diameter were greater for trees with breakage than those without breakage. The dbh of the leaning trees was smaller than that of the undamaged trees. Although trees with greater dbh had a greater probability for breakage, mean plot dbh may be more important than the individual trees' dbh. A tree with greater dbh compared with the adjacent trees has a greater probability of breakage. The results also show that although severely damaged, this plantation appears to have sufficient undamaged trees for recovery to levels described by others for thinned stands.