The health impacts of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on eastern hemlock have been widely studied, but it remains unknown how soil macronutrient concentrations mediate hemlock decline following HWA infection. This project aims to examine whether soil type and underlying bedrock can explain the contrasting rates of decline between two eastern hemlock stands at Harvard Forest. Three soil pits will be excavated in both the “healthier” and “unhealthy” hemlock stands in May 2024, after allowing for soils to dry post-spring thaw. Soil pit locations were determined with Audrey Barker-Plotkin and David Orwig and do not interfere with any ongoing research. Specific locations (coordinates) are in the following sections. Half-meter by half-meter soil pits will be excavated to 1 m depth, or until bedrock. Soil will be collected every 5 cm, as well as at any major soil horizon changes, to account for both macronutrient leaching down the soil profile and upwards movement of macronutrients due to plant root uptake. Additionally, hemlock needles from both sites, as well as black birch leaves from the unhealthy site, will be collected to determine foliar macronutrient concentrations. Soils and foliage will be brought to UMass Amherst to determine macronutrient concentrations, CEC, and aggregate stability.