Land

Cropping Practices for Hybrid Poplars

Choice of Land

The choice of land is always an important factor in achieving good results. Hybrid poplars will grow well under a wide range of soil characteristics. However, it has also been shown that these plants perform better when grown on more fertile soils than on poorer soils, except in areas where limitations (e.g. high pH) may reduce growth.

The soils selected should have good moisture holding capacity; the plants are tolerant of wet soils and may tolerate standing water for short periods of time.

Hybrid poplars do not tolerate shade and should be planted in an open area. As with other crops, soil tests for nutrients are always recommended and the advice of a specialist is essential to successful short rotation forestry.

SITE SELECTION CRITERIA *
Soil Type	Loams
pH of Soil	5.5 to 7.8
Slope	Less than 8%
Flooding	Avoid areas with summer flooding
Organic Matter	3% to 8%
Soil Water	High holding capacity or shallow watertable
Fertility	Moderate to high levels of P and K
Hardpan	Avoid soils with hardpan in rooting zone

* For more details, contact any of the following people:

Wendell Johnson
University of Minnesota, Crookston
wjohnson@mail.crk.umn.edu
(218) 281-8262

Edward Wene
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute - Crookston, Minnesota
ewene@auri.org
(218) 281-7600

		Choice of Land		Field Marking
		Choice of Clones		Planting
		Site Preparation		Weed Control
		Planting Stock		Fertility Management

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Last updated April 25, 2001.