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when un-irrigated. The importance of preventing weed competition in future aspen <br />restoration projects was well documented in this study. Continuing and proposed <br />studies will verify these initial observations. <br />2007 Research Plan: <br />Growth of transplanted slants in third year: In a study funded by the DOI OSM, we will <br />examine the survival and growth of aspen trees in their third season after transplanting <br />to reclaimed roto-cleared and dozer-cleared top soils. Growth of the surviving trees will <br />be monitored during their third year following transplanting. Care will be taken to insure <br />low salinity of the irrigation water supply. <br />Root Qrowth: Survival and growth of individual aspen plants is only a part of successful <br />re-establishment of the species on reclaimed lands. The re-establishment of the <br />extensive lateral root systems that existed in clones that were previously on these sites <br />is crucial to the long-term persistence of aspen on these sites. The density of aspen <br />sprout populations naturally decline over time (Shepperd 1993). Therefore it is <br />imperative that newly planted aspen begin to expand their roots systems so that they <br />might establish new sprouts if the planted trees die. We will quantify the growth and <br />spread of lateral root systems from planted aspen by excavating and washing soil from <br />the roots of selected trees to quantify root growth under the different irrigation, soil type, <br />and plant type treatments. We will continue to monitor soil physical and chemical <br />characteristics. It is particularly crucial to see if roots have extended beyond the planting <br />hole for transplants or beyond the potting mix for potted aspen. We will quantify soil <br />density and compaction effects on root growth and expansion in the irrigated <br />transplanted trees. Given known mortality rates of young aspen (Shepperd 1993) <br />subsequent root development and suckering will be necessary for aspen to be <br />sustained and successfully re-established on these reclaimed mine sites. If lateral root <br />development is detected, then experiments to stimulate additional suckering could be <br />conducted to investigate ways to expand the number of aspen stems on these sites. <br />18 <br />