The plant used in this study was the woodland shrub, Spicebush, Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume. Spicebush, is characteristically found on a poorly drained soil, within Beech-Maple or Mixed Mesophytic forests. It commonly occurs as pure stands in small patches within the shrub layer of mesophytic forests.The objective of this study was to characterize the soil type upon which Spicebush crows and to relate the soil-plant relationship in tears of establishment, growth, and development of the Spicebush. The variables used in accomplishing this objective were based on the physical and chemical regimes of Spicebush subcommunities. Ginn Woods, a climax beech-maple forest in Delaware County, Indiana, was used as a study area. Spicebush subcommunities within the woods were rapped and three representative sites were selected. The factors examined in the study were soil profile, soil moisture and temperature, soil and tissue levels of nitrate, phosphorus and the trace element metals Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Cd. Analysis of the soil horizons was performed by soil core and visual characterization at the representative sites. Soil moisture blocks and temperature probes were buried at 5 centimeter and 20 centimeter depths at the sites for determination of soil temperature and available soil moisture. Data was collected at the sites every other day. Nitrate and phosphorus levels for plant tissue and soil were analyzed by the Kjeldahl Method and Spectrophotcznetric Method, respectively. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotanetric Unit was used to determine amounts of ppm. of the metallic salts in samples of soil and leaf tissue.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306