Beneficial effects persist 5 years after liming acid forest soils in West Virginia

Abstract Acid forest soils in the Monongahela National Forest (MNF), West Virginia, were limed at 10 Mg ha −1 by helicopter. Effects of liming were evaluated 1 and 5 years after liming by measuring pH, acidity, and aluminum (Al) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in limed and unlimed soils. First‐year results were reported by Fowler et al. Unlimed soils had soil pH of 4.2, while limed soils had pH of 5.6 in O horizons 5 years after liming. Ca concentrations averaged 6.4 cmol c kg −1 without liming compared to 31 cmol c kg −1 5 years after liming. Soil acidity and Al concentrations in O horizons were five times lower in limed soils compared to unlimed soils after 5 years. The beneficial effects of liming these acid forest soils have persisted through 5 years.