Soil response to clearcutting and site preparation in East Texas

On an east Texas forest site, clearcutting and site preparation did not change the soil pH. Chopping and KG blading significantly reduced organic matter in the surface soil, while burning slightly increased it. Organic matter showed a positive and significant relationship to potassium, calcium and magnesium. All site treatments increased phosphorus and potassium, with the greatest increase on the burned plots. Calcium and magnesium contents also increased with burning but decreased with KG blading. Burning appeared better than the other treatments for maintaining or improving the soil nutrient regime. However, planted loblolly pine seedlings survived and grew best with mechanical treatments that controlled competing vegetation