The spiders (Araneae) of pure pine and birch stands on restored open dump sites in Saxony and Brandenburg (Germany). The spider communities of four restored, afforested pure stands of first generation pine, birch and birch-robinia in the postmining landscape and one natural pine forest of the Lower Lusatia (Germany: Saxony and Brandenburg) were investigated. From 1997-98 a total of 6368 spiders were caught using stemeclectors and pitfall traps. More than 50% of the specimens collected were juveniles. The remaining individuals were identified and represent 1 23 species from 23 families. Among them several taxa are listed in the Red Data Lists of Germany (n = 1 6), Brandenburg (n = 1 3) and Saxony (n = 1 4). One species, Clubiono leucaspis is rare in Germany and new to Saxony.When comparing afforested stands of pine on postmining areas with natural ones the species Coelotes terrestris (Amaurobiidae) was observed exclusively in the latter. The absence of this species on restored sites seems to indicate a disturbance of the soil up to almost 60 years after the end of restoration. According to pitfall trapping in three pine forests the increasing biomass of spiders indicates a high predation rate at the oldest site, whereas the highest species diversity was found on younger, rehabilitated sites.