Revegetating surface-mined lands with herbaceous and woody species together

Abstract

Herbaceous cover is required for erosion control on surface-mined lands even where forests are to be established. Where planted with trees, herbaceous species usually cause an increase in tree seedling mortality and retard tree growth, especially in the first few years after planting. Trees seem to be affected most by competition for moisture because their survival is least affected where spring and summer precipitation is abundant. Tree survival often is reduced most by dense stands of some legumes, especially crownvetch, flatpea, and sericea lespedeza; but in some plantings, growth of surviving trees was later increased in the legumes. Planting trees in existing stands of herbaceous cover usually resulted in poor survival. Herbicides or scalping to control competing cover is suggested, but there is little supporting data from research and experience. Planting trees and seeding herbaceous species in alternate strips appear feasible for combination plantings on areas where the appropriate seeding and fertilizing equipment can be used.

Parent Publication

• Trees for Reclamation Symposium Proceedings

Citation

Vogel, Willis G. 1980. Revegetating surface-mined lands with herbaceous and woody species together. In: Trees for Reclamation Symposium Proceedings; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-61. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 117-126