Treesearch

A brief introduction to ecto- and endomycorrhizae and their importance to plants is presented. Recent findings confirm the significance of ectomycorrhizae, particularly those formed by Pisolithus tinctorius in nurseries, to survival and growth of pine seedlings on strip-mined lands. Commercial inoculum of this fungus may be available in 1981. Recent research shows that endomycorrhizal fungi affect growth of grasses and certain hardwood trees on coal spoils.

The reforestation of surface mines in Pennsylvania became prevalent in the middle 1940's with enactment of state legislation to regulate surface mining of bituminous coal. Though this early legislation did not provide for intensive environment protection standards in comparison to state legislation which followed in the early 1960's and early 1970's and in contrast to today's standards, did establish the beginning of large scale surface mine reclamation activities. The planting of trees became a significant part of the reclamation process. Tree planting continues to be a land reclamation...

The Alabama Forestry Commission promotes reclamation through forest resource education providing seedlings for reclamation and assistance to industry and landowners. Approximately 85% of the lands mined in 1979 will go into forest production. Good forest management on reclaimed lands will enable Alabama to meet its future demands for forest products.

Open cut mine land reclamation laws have only been effective since 1971 in Arkansas. Since that time all land affected by mining had to be reclaimed. To guarantee reclamation, the first law required a $500 per acre surety bond be posted with the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology. The Arkansas Open Cut Land Reclamation Act of 1977 changed the bonding requirements to the estimated cost of reclamation. Even so, there were no specific guidelines setting forth required species of grass, legumes, or trees to be used in reclamation. Consequently, the trend was to revegetate...

The author briefly reviews Georgia's land reclamation requirements when rehabilitating mined lands with trees as one's reclamation objective. Techniques used to establish two plantations are used to raise several important issues which, if resolved, can result in increased tree planting and lower land reclamation cost.

In southern Illinois Peabody Coal Company included reforestation as a part of its ten year plan for the reclamation of acid mine spoil. Hand planted trees had highest survival rates. The species that proved most successful were black locust, autumn olive, sweetgum, black alder, loblolly pine, and river birch.

Thru private initiative, Illinois citizens historically have invented and conducted large-scale tree planting programs, starting with hedgerow fences and farmstead windbreaks and continuing with surface mine reclamation and farm woodlands. With invaluable help from public and private scientific personnel, the old and new programs hold promise of enlargement and increased success.

The Kentucky Division of Forestry operates three tree nurseries producing approximately 12.5 million seedlings. Production is 60% hardwoods and shrubs and 40% pine. Production could be increased to 18 million and species added to meet demand.

A general description of the significance of coal strip mining in Kansas and the current efforts to reclaim spoil banks to forest uses. Landowner's objectives are shown to be the most limiting factor in forestry operations.

Maryland is relatively small in relation with other coal-producing states. Only one and one-third Counties in extreme Western Maryland is involved in mining. Elevation for the mining region is from a low of 1200 feet to a high of 3800 feet. Rainfall is well distributed ranging from 40 to 48 inches per year. Until 1975, the revegetation of strip mined areas was the responsibility of the Maryland Forest Service, thus the concentration on tree planting. Since 1975 all mining responsibilities have been transferred to the Bureau of Mines. Planting of trees on strip-mined areas began in 1963...