Forest
Applications: Forest nurseries, seed orchards, plantations and natural stands before establishment.
Price: $22 / sample
Forms & Instructions: Submission Form
Why test?
Due to an increasing demand for wood products and decreasing land base for forestry, forest management and utilization are intensifying in Wisconsin. Forest yields in the state may be increased by matching tree species with soil type and fertilizing to improve the nutrient status of the soil for a particular tree species or group of species. The success of both of these practices is dependent upon soil testing.
Analysis and Reporting
Your soil test will include soil pH, organic matter and nitrogen, and the amounts of available nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, along with an interpretation of how to correct for deficiencies or excessive quantities of nutrients. View a sample report.
Sampling
It is essential that the soil samples be representative of the forest tract. Samples should be taken to a depth of six inches. Please refer to the following table regarding sampling:
| Forest Crop | Sampling Frequency | Sample Pattern | Representative are per composite sample* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest nursery | 1-3 years | diagonally across beds | 0.5 acres |
| Seed orchard; black walnut plantations | 5 years | individual trees midway between stem and dripline | 1 – 2 acres |
| Conifer plantations, including Christmas trees | 2** | grid | 5 – 10 acres |
| Natural Stands | 2** | random, per soil type | 5 – 10 acres |
*10 to 15 sub-samples per one composite sample
** Sample prior to planting; i.e., at the beginning of each rotation