Hardwood tree plantations provide another area of application for manure produced through intensive livestock operations. Nutrient uptake and ultilization occur aboveground in trees, below ground in the soil complex through microbial transformations, soil chemical and physical reactions. Other studies (Milosh, 1993) have indicated that tree plantation systems are effective in removing significant percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients from wastewater. Certain species, sycamore and sweet gum removed up to 90% of the N and P in the municipal wastewater within 130cm.

Loading effects of wastewater (from a secondary lagoon) of two application rates of 200lbs/ac and 400 lbs/ac were examined on 5 tree species during March 1994. All tree species within the study, with the exception of one experienced increased survival rates, however their survival rate did diminsh with increased wastewater application. Soil nitrate and phosphorus concentrations were comapred at 0-6 inches and 36+ inches of depth. Soil nitrate concentrations at the shallow depth increased during three sampling periods (1995-1996-1997) although soil concentrations within most plots were not substantially greater than 10 mg/L drinking water standard. Nitrate within soil samples increased with swine wastewater application rate. The data suggests that certain species accumulate greater amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in their tissue and therefore removed in subsequent tree harvest.