Abstract
Soil compaction is one of the most serious site limitations to establishing native plants on disturbed lands such as closed roads. Subsoiling or ripping is the recommended treatment for compacted soils, and this article describes the development and utilization of 3 new, multifunctional subsoiling implements for use with an excavator. The subsoiling grapple rake was designed specifically for resolving the severe soil compaction that develops with the repeated heavy equipment use on timber sales. The subsoiling excavator bucket has been used for road decommissioning and watershed restoration projects. The subsoiling brush cutter has proven useful in a variety of projects including pre-commercial thinning, forest health, fuel reduction, forage enhancement, and brush removal. Nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees are ideal for road decommissioning projects because they are aggressive pioneer plants that also improve site fertility. Archuleta JG, Baxter ES. 2008. Subsoiling promotes native plant establishment on compacted forest sites. Native Plants Journal 9(2):117–122.
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