Soil Compaction After Tree‐Length Skidding in Northern Mississippi

Abstract

After skidding with a rubber‐tired skidder, bulk densities of wheel‐rutted soils increased an average of 20% to 1.55 g/cm³; the increase was 10% for the soils between the ruts which were compacted by the movement of logs. Macropores were reduced 68% for wheel‐rutted soils and 38% for log‐disturbed soils; micropore space of both increased about 7%. Percolation rates decreased initially but recovered gradually. Wheel‐rutted soils require about 12 years to recover and log‐disturbed soils about 8 years.