Hurricane disturbances in temperate forests have lasting effects on soil processes, such as altered physical structure and nutrient dynamics. However, the mechanisms by which these processes influence soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics remain poorly understood. In New England forests, partial stand disturbance from storms creates biological and physical legacies that persist for decades. These legacies include altered canopy structure leading to variable leaf litter inputs and pit & mound microtopography, which can influence SOM formation and storage. Over decades, a lag in tree stand recovery can change litter quality and microbial decomposition conditions. These changes can influence the dynamics of SOM as leaf litter is one of its main inputs. This relationship plays a key role in nutrient cycling, moisture retention, and carbon storage functions. Here, we assess the influence of a hurricane disturbance on SOM depth and carbon quality by comparing soils from a hurricane simulation plot to those from an adjacent control plot. We hypothesize that as the tree species in the hurricane simulation stand shifts from oak-maple towards black birch, it will lead to either a) a more carbon-rich soil or b) respire more CO2 into the atmosphere. Field measurements paired with laboratory analyses will be used to assess SOM and leaf litter characteristics. Our results are expected to show that the hurricane plot accumulates more SOM with lower lignin content and altered carbon chemistry compared to the control, due to an increased input of easily decomposable leaf litter. This suggests that hurricane legacies may alter soil carbon storage. These findings provide insight into how weather disturbances affect leaf litter dynamics, thereby influencing soil carbon processes and contributing to long-term carbon storage in temperate forest ecosystems.