Impacts of post-harvest slash and live-tree retention on biomass and nutrient stocks in Populus tremuloides Michx.-dominated forests, northern Minnesota, USA

► We examine impacts of slash and live-tree retention on biomass and nutrient stocks. ► Slash retention affected biomass and nutrient stocks while live-tree retention did not. ► 20% Slash retention was similar to both whole-tree and stem-only harvest treatments. ► Whole-tree harvested stands contained 52% of available slash, not the expected 10-15%. ► Woody debris biomass in all harvested stands consisted primarily of fine woody debris.