EVALUATION OF TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE WHITE-PINE ESTABLISHMENT ON AN APPALACHIAN MINESOIL

Several reclamation-reforestation techniques were studied on a reclaim ed surface mine in southern West Virginia to develop practical guideli nes for the establishment of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) for ests interplanted with black locust (Robinia psuedoacacia L.). The stu dy was designed to investigate (i) two herbaceous ground cover mixes ( a conventional erosion control cover and a tree-compatible reforestati on cover); (ii) the effectiveness of establishing white pine and black locust by direct seeding versus hand-planting; and (iii) the effect o f fertilizing white pine with a fertilizer tablet. The study was estab lished on a 40% slope with a minesoil derived primarily from an acidic (pH 4.8), oxidized sandstone. With an experimental variance from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, final surface gr ading was minimized to avoid compaction. The reforestation ground cove r was sparser than the conventional cover during the first year and de nser after 5 yr, but the difference was not statistically significant and did not affect tree establishment. Although some white pines were established by direct seeding (2 kg/ha), their distribution was irregu lar. Black locusts were readily established by direct seeding (0.5 kg/ ha), but the number of trees established was excessive and interfered with the growth of planted pine. Overall, growth of planted pine was v ery good, and fertilizer tablets did not result in significantly large r pines after 5 yr. Based on results from this study, the most practic al way to establish a productive white pine-black locust plantation is to plant pine seedlings and interplant or spot-seed locusts between p ines.