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MINISITE PREPARATION FOR REFORESTATION OF STRIP-MINED LANDS
Citation:
Hay, R. AND F. Woods. MINISITE PREPARATION FOR REFORESTATION OF STRIP-MINED LANDS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-80/005 (NTIS PB80148000), 1980.
Description:
The purpose of this work was to test the hypothesis that site preparation of a minisite (20x60 cm cylinder) would be effective in promoting seedling survival and growth and still save considerable cost compared to area-wide site preparation. Spoil within the cylinder was mixed with organic matter, lime, and fertilizers, returned to the hole and rootrainer-grown tubeling planted. Controls were planted with a planting bar. The rootrainer medium was inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius spores. All outplanted seedlings were irrigated once; planting was done June 29 and 30, 1977. At the end of the first growing season, survival on minisite plots was 98% on bare areas and 86-90% on grassed areas. After the second season, 10% more trees died on the prepared bare areas. Survival on the grassed controls was 50% or less. Growth of pitch pine responded to minisite preparation on the grassed area but Virginia pine could not compete successfully with the grass.