The paper gives a brief overview of the background, history and main results of forest fertilization experiments on mineral soils in Norway. Positive results of initial phosphorus (P) fertilization on survival and growth of Norway and Sitka spruce have only been achieved in the coastal districts of western Norway. Other elements have seldom given any signi cant effect. In young and old stands of Norway spruce and Scots pine nitrogen (N) fertilization with 150 kg N ha ¼1 usually gave increment increases in the range of 1-2 m 3 ha ¼1 yr ¼1 , for a period of 6-8 yrs after application. Given individually, no other element has proved stimulating to stem growth in a similar way. In young Norway spruce stands P has often given additional growth response when given together with N. Liming has been shown to have no or negative effects on tree growth. Fertilization experiments have changed from being management orientated towards addressing the problems of possible nutrient imbalances.

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Previous research has documented that nitrogen fertilization can lead to a signi cant tree growth increase in large parts of Scandinavia. Nutrient management of Nordic forests is currently under debate, mainly because environmental values are believed to be unnecessarily endangered by these actions. Nutrient management including fertilization, liming, recycling of wood ash or application of alternative nutrient sources can counteract nutrient de ciencies and imbalances, and be used for compensating the nutrients removed through harvesting. For successful implementation of nutritional management measures, several questions should still be studied. These questions mainly concern diagnosis of the need for applications, nutritional sustainability and treatment effects on the forest ecosystem and the surrounding environment.

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