Olustee Arboretum: Performance of 67 Species of Forest Trees.

摘要

At present the Olustee Arboretum consists of two outplanting areas. The oldest, established in 1954, is an 8-acre area one-quarter of a mile south of Ocean Pond on the Osceola National Forest. It is locally known as either the 'old' arboretum, or the wet arboretum. The soil in this area is a Leon fine sand. It is described as a nearly level, moderately wet, sandy, acid hardpan soil, low to medium in organic content and natural fertility. Despite the uniformity of soil type, there is a slight moisture gradient in the arboretum, the south end being slightly drier than the rest of the area. At the time of establishment the area was fenced for protection from cattle, and this has resulted in the development of a heavy sod of carpet grass (Axonopus affinis). During summers of normal rainfall the water table over most of the area is very close to the soil surface, and in some small spots actually rises an inch or two above it. Since this condition seemed unfavorable to the establishment of many exotic species, a drier area has been added to the arboretum.