pH and Cation Exchange Capacity of Major tree Barks grown in Korea -Genus Pinus, Populus, and Quercus-

한국산(韓國産) 주요수피(主要樹皮)의 pH와 C.E.C -소나무속, 사시나무속, 참나무속-

A bark comprises about 10 to 20 percents of a typical log by volume, and is generally considered as an unwanted residue rather than a potentially valuable resources. As the world has been confronted with decreasing forest resources, natural resources pressure dictate that a bark should be a raw material instead of a waste. The utilization of the largely wasted bark of genus Pinus, Quercus and Populus grown in korea can be enhanced by Knowing its chemical Properties. Specially, uses of bark in mulching, growing media and soil amendment can be enhanced by knowing pH and C.E.C values. In this paper, an investigative study is carried out on the pH-and C.E.C-values. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. Bark is acid in nature, and pH values of bark varying from 3.3 to 4.7, is lower than that of wood.pH value of Pinus is the lowest. 2. Cation exchange capacity of bark is greater than that of wood, silt loam soil, and wheat straw.CEC of bark is 45.7 meq/100gm in Pinus, 41.8 meq/100gm in populus, 37.8 meq/100gm in Quercus.