Response of soil nutrient content, organic matter characteristics and growth of pine and spruce seedlings to logging residues

•We studied effects of logging residues 10 yrs after clear-felling in 6 conifer stands.•Effects of residues on soil and seedling growth were not consistent over all sites.•Residues improved seedling growth generally in spruce stands.•Residues improved soil nutrient status and biological properties in one pine stand.•Other changes may be more important for seedling growth than nutrient status was.