Factors affecting the establishment of direct-seeded pine on surface-mine spoils

William T. Plass

Treesearch

Factors affecting the establishment of direct-seeded pine on surface-mine spoils

Informally Refereed

Authors:

William T. Plass

Year:

1974

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-290. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5p.

Download (PDF 585 KB)

Download (PDF 585 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/15395.pdf

Abstract

In a greenhouse study the emergence, survival, and growth of seven species of pine were related to chemical and textural characteristics of 12 Kentucky spoils. The results identify three factors that may affect the establishment of direct-seeded pine on surface-mine spoils. First, fine-textured spoil material may restrict seedling emergence. Coarse-textured sandstones and hard shales may provide a better seedbed. Second, species vary in their response to chemical and physical characteristics of the spoil material. Loblolly and longleaf pine were adapted to a wide range of spoils. The growth of shortleaf and white pine was reduced on extremely acid spoils. Finally, the growth of loblolly pine was greatest where the percentage of phosphorus in the whole plant was greatest.

Citation

Plass, William T. 1974. Factors affecting the establishment of direct-seeded pine on surface-mine spoils. Res. Pap. NE-290. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5p.