The Growth and Development of Black Walnut (Juglans nigra L.) on Coal Strip-Mined Land in Southeast Kansas

Abstract

Black walnut trees established on coal strip-mined lands in southeastern Kansas 12 to 14 years ago are growing well, are producing viable seed, and are serving as good examples of the rehabilitation possibilities of these so-called waste lands. Kansas has more than 27,000 acres of stripped land that should be put to some worthwhile use. Since tree growing is one of the most promising uses of this land, the following information on approximately 2,000 acres of black walnut plantations in Crawford and Cherokee Counties, Kansas, is presented as evidence of what can be expected of this species. A program for rehabilitation of lands stripped for coal in this area was developed in the spring of 1933. This work was activated by John W. Spencer, now Regional Forester, Region 2, U. S. Forest Service, Denver, Colorado, a native Kansan, in collaboration with many other leaders in the southeast Kansas coal field. From May 1933, through the summer of 1937, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps leveled or partially leveled the spoil banks on 3,400 acres of state-owned lands. Approximately 2,923 acres were planted with black walnut seeds. In a very limited area mixtures of other tree seeds and seedlings were planted with the black walnut.