THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CULTIVATION USING THE WINGED TINE ON RESTORED SAND AND GRAVEL WORKINGS

A study to examine the effectiveness and longevity of 'deep' ripping u sing a winged tine on restored sand and gravel workings is described. Measurements of soil bulk density, penetration resistance and microtop ography were used to monitor the effects on the soil over a 5 year per iod. Ripping to 0.45 and 0.6 m depth produced loosened soil to a maxim um depth of about 0.4 m, but recompaction occurred rapidly, especially in the first year after ripping. The need to prevent soil compaction is emphasised. Ripping has only a limited ability to remedy soil physi cal degradation caused by machine-induced compaction. Trees planted on land restored using the winged tine are likely to suffer from moistur e stress and wind instability as they mature.