A considerable input of fresh inorganic matter (needles, current years twigs, small branches) to the soil surface was recorded in the clear-felled area after cutting a Norway spruce Picea abies stand. The supply increased from 50 to 72t.ha-1. Whole tree skidding caused disturbance and mixing of surface humus layers. Variability of samples was high and the coefficient of variation amounted to 30-68%.