Minisite preparation for strip mine reclamation

Pinus Virginiana Mill. and Pinus rigida Mill. were planted during the period between June 22 and July 5, 1977 on two reclaimed strip mined areas. Tubelings of both species inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch were planted in (1) undisturbed spoil and in (2) minisites to which amendments had been added and the spoil tumbled. Treatment and control were replicated in plots on both a bare area and an area seeded to grass. Seedling counts made 2 months, 8 months, and 14 months after planting revealed for both species that: 1. Survival on grassed plots was better with minisite preparation than with no preparation. 2. Survival on bare control plots was greater than on grassed control plots. 3. Survival on bare minisite plots was equal to survival on grassed minisite plots. 4. Frost heave was greater on control plots than on minisite plots. 5. Frost heave was greater on bare plots than on grassed plots. Treatment strategies utilized in the experiment, (1) seedling containerization, (2) inoculation with Pisolithus tinctorius, (3) minisite preparation, (4) species selection, and (5) grass cover manipulation, can extend the ability to increase survival and growth of tree plantings on strip mines. Such planting operations could extend practical planting times and decrease the need for replantings.