Optimum Fertilization for

Tree Plantations
Dr. Randy S. Senock
Assistant Professor of Tropical Forestry
University of Hawaii at Hilo
College of Agriculture, Forestry and
Natural Resource Management
Dr. J. B. Friday
Extension Forester
UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service
Optimum Fertilization
Biological
Economical
Environmental
Basic Tree Crop Nutrition
Rapid Growth =
High Demand
Nutrient Depletion =
Low Yields
Depends on
Stage of Stand
Development
Three General Nutritional Stages
Establishment Rapid Growth Maintenance
Two Growth Phases
Before Canopy Closure
After Canopy Closure
General Pattern of Tree
Growth
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
S
t
e
m

m
a
s
s

(
k
g

C

m
-
2
)
0 2 4 6 8 10
Plantation age (years)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
S
t
e
m

i
n
c
r
e
m
e
n
t

(
g

C

m
-
2

y
r
-
2
)
Increment
Stem mass
Key is Canopy Closure
Before Canopy Closure
Establishment Stage
little nutrient
accumulation
split applications
N,P,K 4 oz or
100g\tree
planting
repeat w/in 6
months
Little effect on long term fertility
Good root zone development
Before Canopy Closure
Eucalyptus N demand during
Rapid Growth Stage in Hawaii
<0.45% 0.45% to 0.60% >0.60%

570 kg\ha 350 kg\ha 260kg\ha


Soil Nitrogen Content
High Nitrogen = High
Photosynthesis
P
h
o
t
o
s
y
n
t
h
e
t
i
c

C
a
p
a
c
i
t
y
F
o
l
i
a
g
e

N

(
m
m
o
l
m
-
2
)
0
40
80
120
Control Fertilized
P
h
o
t
o
s
y
n
t
h
e
t
i
c

C
a
p
a
c
i
t
y
F
o
l
i
a
g
e

N

(
m
m
o
l
m
-
2
)
P
h
o
t
o
s
y
n
t
h
e
t
i
c

C
a
p
a
c
i
t
y
F
o
l
i
a
g
e

N

(
m
m
o
l
m
-
2
)
0
40
80
120
Control Fertilized
High Photosynthesis = High
Production
Control Fertilized
High Leaf Area = High Production
Poor nutrition =
Low leaf area
= low production
After Canopy Closure
Nutrient
accumulation
greatest in stem
Leaf biomass
reaches equilibrium
Large proportion of
nutrient requirement
met by recycling
Nutrients in a Eucalyptus saligna Plantation
% of Total
N P K Ca Mg
Trunk
Bark
Branches
Leaves
Total
12
08
17
63
100
49
09
14
28
100
24
15
26
35
100
08
27
34
31
100
14
30
17
39
100
Choice of Fertilization
Mineral Applications
correction of
known deficiencies
establishment on
poor soil
conditions
stimulating growth
timing
Choice of Fertilization
Intercropping with
Nitrogen Fixing
Trees
N availability limits
growth
N fixation rates
substantial
little competition to
crop tree
Crop Tree Height Effects
Pure stands Mixed stands
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
T
r
e
e

h
e
i
g
h
t

(
m
)
0 2 4 6 8 10
Age (yr)
Albizia
Eucalyptus
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
T
r
e
e

h
e
i
g
h
t

(
m
)
0 2 4 6 8 10
Age (yr)
Albizia
Eucalyptus
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
T
r
e
e

b
i
o
m
a
s
s

(
M
g
/
h
a
)
0 25 34 50 66 100
%Albizia in stand
Eucalyptus Albizia
Crop Tree Biomass Effects
Greenhouse
Soil Bioassay
Trails
Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Atmospheric Nitrogen N
2
to
Ammonia NH
3
N Fixation vs Mineral N
Continuous
moderation
Organic
Long term effects
Single large pulse
Inorganic
Short term effects
Problem: Trees that fix N
(for example Acacia, Albizia, or Casuarina)
are very often invasive weeds
Take home lessons
Fast-growing trees demand nutrients.
There are stages in a trees growth, and fertilizing
while the canopy develops is critical.
Leaves demand more nutrients to develop than wood
does. Low fertility can lead to sparse crowns and low
production.
Look into organic sources that may be available.
Integrating N-fixers into the system can have long-
term benefits.
Reference: Optimum fertilization for tree plantations in
Hawaii. Randy Senock. In: Growing Working Forest for
Hawaiis Future.