Chemical analyses have confirmed and explained the results of an earlier pot trial in which the availability of major nutrients in six pumice ash layers of Kaingaroa silty sand was assessed by the growth of radiata pine seedlings. Almost all of the tree-available P is found in the present topsoil: the quantities-of P that occur in two buried soils (Waimihia and Rotoma ashes) are almost entirely in the form of organic P which is apparently very resistant to breakdown due to complexing with allophane. The N in these layers is similarly unavailable. The mineral layers, about 4 ft in thickness (Taupo pumice and lapilli), which lie between the present topsoil and the uppermost buried soil, are very low in total N and P and exchangeable Mg, but relatively high in exchangeable K. Only the lower buried soil contains a reasonable quantity of exchangeable Mg and has a Mg : K ratio in favour of Mg.