Effects of minesoil and seeded herbaceous species on survival of planted trees

Abstract

ABSTRACT A series of studies to help find environmentally sound methods to reforest surface-mined lands at reduced cost was established on the Muskingum Mine near Cumberland, Ohio. In one study, three minesoil types (graded topsoil, graded and ripped topsoil, and leveled gray cast overburden) were planted with green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)and white pine (Pinus strobus) trees on subplots seeded with various grass and/or legume mixtures either before tree planting in September or at time of tree planting in March. Also, trees were planted on unseeded subplots. After planting, some trees were oversprayed with Simazine to reduce competition from seeded species. A severe drought that began after planting resulted in heavy mortality but striking survival differences were observed among treatments by end of the growing season. Green ash survived best (71 percent)on unseeded cast overburden. Survival was significantly lower on graded topsoil (50 percent)and on other minesoils that were seeded the previous Se...