• Schmidtling, R.C.
  USDA Forest Service, Gulfport, Miss.
  
• Amburgery, T.L.
  USDA Forest Service, Gulfport, Miss.
  

Early cultivation and fertilization of two slash pine populations planted on a poor site increased yields dramatically. Gaines obtained during the early years after intensive culture were maintained through age 12. Height growth, radial increment, and volume increased with intensity of cultural treatments. Fertilization decreased the SG of juvenile wood but not of mature wood, which comprised most of the tree by age 12. There was no indication that trees differing genetically in SG respond differently to fertilization. Intensive culture did not increase wood nitrogen content. Decay susceptibility was negatively correlated with SG. The two populations differed more in decay susceptibility than in SG.