In situ 15N and 13C labelling of indigenous and plantation tree species in a tropical mountain forest (Munessa, Ethiopia) for subsequent litter and soil organic matter turnover studies

► Pragmatic approach to produce 15N and 13C plant material for litter turnover field experiment. ► Simultaneous labeling by tree gassing with 13CO2 and by stem injection of 15NH415NO3. ► Several kg of plant material produced with δ13C of 200‰ and δ15N of 1000‰. ► Only leaves should be used as label distribution was inhomogeneous.