An occurrence of boron deficiency in the deciduous forest of the Quebec Appalachians and the St. Lawrence Lowlands

Abstract

In mid-June 1985, visual symptoms of boron deficiency were observed on the seedlings of several tree species in the understory of the deciduous forest of the Quebec Appalachians and the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Symptoms observed on sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) and red maple (Acerrubrum L.) are described and illustrated. Although symptoms were most abundant in stands on sandy soils, they were present throughout a vast area. Symptoms were most developed on fast-growing regeneration, while on overstory trees they were seen in only one of the nine sites visited. This temporary boron deficiency is thought to be related to the low temperatures that prevailed during the 2nd week of June 1985, together with the heavy rainfall in the first 2 weeks of that month.