Tulip Poplar - nitrogen fixing?
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ednaknightlora
Nov 5, 2012, 8:09:35 AM11/5/12
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I have a tulip poplar in my yard and have added fallen tulip poplar leaves to my newest compost pile. Do they count as nitrogen or as carbon in a compost pile? I remember Elaine mentioning poplars as nitrogen fixing trees...
David C. Schmeisser
Nov 5, 2012, 9:02:49 AM11/5/12
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Dear Edna,
Trees of the genus Populus (i.e. poplar trees) are among the trees that can fix nitrogen. However, despite its popular name "yellow poplar" is not closely related to the true poplars. Instead they belong to the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) and are divided into two species: Liriodendron tulipifera and Liriodendron chinense. Neither of the two seems to be able to fix nitrogen. Depending on the stage of browning I would thus consider the C:N ratio of their leaves as medium (green, ) to high (brown).
Just because the topic is so interesting, attached is an interesting summary of a German study on nitrogen fixation WITHIN poplars by endophytic bacteria. Another interesting study by Prof. Sharon Doty and collaborators of the University of Washington is published in the journal Symbiosis 39(1): 27-36.
On a different note, I have tracked down the owner of the keyline plow I was mentioning to you and will report back to you asap with details about prize etc.
I hope this was somewhat helpful.
Wishing you a lovely start into the week.
Best,
David
Trees of the genus Populus (i.e. poplar trees) are among the trees that can fix nitrogen. However, despite its popular name "yellow poplar" is not closely related to the true poplars. Instead they belong to the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) and are divided into two species: Liriodendron tulipifera and Liriodendron chinense. Neither of the two seems to be able to fix nitrogen. Depending on the stage of browning I would thus consider the C:N ratio of their leaves as medium (green, ) to high (brown).
Just because the topic is so interesting, attached is an interesting summary of a German study on nitrogen fixation WITHIN poplars by endophytic bacteria. Another interesting study by Prof. Sharon Doty and collaborators of the University of Washington is published in the journal Symbiosis 39(1): 27-36.
On a different note, I have tracked down the owner of the keyline plow I was mentioning to you and will report back to you asap with details about prize etc.
I hope this was somewhat helpful.
Wishing you a lovely start into the week.
Best,
David
Ingham, Elaine
Nov 5, 2012, 9:08:02 AM11/5/12
to ednaknightlora, lifein...@googlegroups.com
Yes, it should be an n-fixer, given that you haven't been putting down high levels of N around the tree.
Easiest way to tell is if your compost pile responds by heating up much faster than you thought it would because the poplar was actually high N. If the pile does not heat quickly, then you know that the tree is not fixing N.
Testing starting materials in this fashion in small piles can prevent some bad experiences.
Elaine R. Ingham
Chief Scientist
Rodale Institute
--
Easiest way to tell is if your compost pile responds by heating up much faster than you thought it would because the poplar was actually high N. If the pile does not heat quickly, then you know that the tree is not fixing N.
Testing starting materials in this fashion in small piles can prevent some bad experiences.
Elaine R. Ingham
Chief Scientist
Rodale Institute
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