Field Assessment of Mine Site Quality for Establishing Hardwoods in the Appalachians

Burger, J. A.; Mitchem, David O.

doi:10.21000/jasmr02010226

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Of the three oak species planted, chestnut oak was intermediate in both survival (76%) and volume (62 cm 3 ). In general and as shown in our study, the growth of all three oak species is relatively slow on these newly constructed soils (Burger et al, 2002).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

Survival and Growth of Hardwoods in Brown versus Gray Sandstone on a Surface Mine in West Virginia

2009

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Surface mining in West Virginia removes the eastern deciduous forest and reclaiming the mined land to a productive forest must consider soil depth, soil physical and chemical properties, soil compaction, ground cover competition, and tree species selection. Our objective was to evaluate tree survival and growth in weathered brown sandstone and in unweathered gray sandstone. Brown and gray sandstone are often substituted when insufficient native topsoil is available for replacement. Three 2.8-ha plots were constructed with either 1.5 or 1.2 m of brown sandstone, or 1.5 m of gray sandstone at the surface. Half of each plot was compacted with a large dozer. Percent fines (<2 mm) in the upper 20 cm was 61% for brown sandstone and 34% in gray. Brown sandstone's pH was 5.1, while gray sandstone's pH was around 8.0. In March 2005, 2-yr-old seedlings of 11 hardwood species were planted. After 3 yr, tree survival was 86% on 1.5-m gray sandstone, 67% on 1.5-m brown sandstone, and 82% on 1.2-m brown sandstone. Survival was 78% on noncompacted and 79% on compacted areas. Average volume of all trees (height x diameter(2)) was significantly greater on brown sandstone (218 cm(3)) than gray sandstone (45 cm(3)) after 3 yr. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) had the highest survival (100%) and significantly greater volume (792 cm(3)) than all other tree species. Survival of the other 10 species varied between 65% for tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and 92% for redbud (Cercis canadensis L.), and volume varied between 36 cm(3) for white pine (Pinus strobes L.) and 175 cm(3) for tulip poplar. After 3 yr, brown sandstone appears to be a better topsoil material due to the much greater growth of trees, but tree growth over time as these topsoils weather will determine whether these trends continue.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

Survival and Growth of Hardwoods in Brown versus Gray Sandstone on a Surface Mine in West Virginia

2009

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“…Chestnut oaks are considered specialist, as they are tolerant of harsh site conditions where competition is not great. Oaks prefer to regenerate in deep, fertile soils where a diversity of microorganisms can facilitate below ground growth (Burger et al, 2002). As such, oak growth should be relatively slow on these newly constructed soils.…”

Section: Tree Survival and Volume Indexmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival and Growth of Native Hardwoods on a Reclaimed Surface Mine

Emerson¹,

Skousen²

2008

JASMR

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Surface mining in West Virginia has been taking place for nearly a century. Most of this land was once covered in eastern deciduous forest. These diverse forests provide a variety of benefits for both humans and animals. Returning the post-mined land to a productive forest requires the consideration of many factors including, but not limited to: compaction, vegetative competition, tree species selection, substrate depth, and physical and chemical properties of the substrate. The objective of this research is to evaluate tree survival and growth in weathered brown sandstone and in unweathered gray sandstone. Three, 2.8-ha plots were constructed with varying substrates at the surface: 1) 1.5 m of weathered brown sandstone, 2) 1.2 m of weathered brown sandstone, and 3) 1.5 m of unweathered gray sandstone. Half of each 2.8-ha plot was compacted, where dozer tracks completely covered the surface, while the other half had only one pass of a dozer. Percent fines in the upper 20 cm on brown sandstone increased from 51% the first year to 61% the third year, while on the gray sandstone decreased from 38% to 34%. Percent sandstone on the brown sandstone treatment decreased from 48% to 40% from the first to the third year, while on gray sandstone it increased from 59% to 66%. Brown sandstone's pH of 5.1 stayed consistent over three years, while gray sandstone's pH was 7.9 the first year and increased to 8.4 by year three. In March 2005, 11 hardwood species were planted in each plot. After one growing season, tree survival on the noncompacted areas of each treatment was >99% across all species, whereas the compacted areas showed 88% tree survival. By year three, survival had decreased to 78% on non-compacted areas and 79% on compacted. Height and diameter for each species was obtained each year of the study. In year one there was little difference between treatments across all species (average height 38.6 cm for 1.5 m brown sandstone vs. 38.9 cm for 1.5 m gray sandstone). The equation, volume index = height x (diameter) 2 , was used to evaluate volume of the trees. Survival was also calculated for years two and three. Average volume of trees on brown sandstone was significantly greater than on gray sandstone. However, survival of trees was significantly greater on gray sandstone versus brown sandstone.

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“…Many sites in the eastern USA reclaimed after the initiation of SMCRA were established as grasslands, wildlife habitat (grasslands with a mix of woody wildlife forage), or unmanaged forest (ground cover grasses with a mix of black locust, pine species, and woody shrubs) rather than native hardwood forests, and currently have limited economic value [4,19,20]. Despite challenges under SMCRA, proper engineering and operational procedures to reclaim and prepare mine soils for forestry uses combined with an understanding of silvicultural practices to improve tree establishment and growth on these sites can yield productive forests at similar costs to other post-mining uses (e.g., pasture, wildlife habitat) [21,22], with productivity at least equal to native forests removed by mining [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hardwood Species Show Wide Variability in Response to Silviculture during Reclamation of Coal Mine Sites

Schempf

Jacobs

2020

Forests

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Coal is a significant energy source for the United States, and reclamation of surface mined lands is required under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Reforestation of mined lands is challenging due to soil substrate properties including soil compaction, herbaceous competition, and animal browse, necessitating silvicultural treatments to help overcome such limiting factors. We investigated the field performance of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor Willd.) planted on two mine reclamation sites in southern Indiana, USA, and evaluated the interactions of nursery stocktypes (container and bareroot), herbicide application, and tree shelters. Two-year survival averaged 80% across all species and stocktypes. Container stocktype had greater relative height and diameter growth (i.e., relative to initial size at planting), whereas bareroot had greater absolute height and diameter growth corresponding to initial stocktype differences. Shelter use increased height growth and reduced diameter growth across both stocktypes. Swamp white oak (Q. bicolor) had the highest survival rate and field performance regardless of silvicultural treatment, whereas red oak (Q. rubra) and black walnut (J. nigra) showed strong early regeneration responses to silvicultural treatments. Container seedlings showed promise as an alternative to bareroot seedlings to promote early growth on mine reclamation sites. Species-specific responses documented here indicate the need to consider the ecology and stress resistance of target species in developing cost-effective silvicultural prescriptions.

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Field Assessment of Mine Site Quality for Establishing Hardwoods in the Appalachians

Cited by 13 publications

References 3 publications

Survival and Growth of Hardwoods in Brown versus Gray Sandstone on a Surface Mine in West Virginia

Survival and Growth of Hardwoods in Brown versus Gray Sandstone on a Surface Mine in West Virginia

Survival and Growth of Native Hardwoods on a Reclaimed Surface Mine

Hardwood Species Show Wide Variability in Response to Silviculture during Reclamation of Coal Mine Sites

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