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9.2.2 Tree and Shrub Research The visual and ecological effects of early mining and related land uses in the upper Tenmile Creek district remain apparent today. Hillsides of a former spruce-fir forest have been displaced by large clearings with little or no established timber and by relatively young timber stands of spruce-fir and lodgepole pine. Since 1969, experiments in transplanting trees and shrubs have been carried out by AMAX. Only the more important; trials and observations made by company personnel through the years are discussed. In 1969, the Colorado State Forest Service began species survival plots along the Tenmile drainage. The only available seedlings at th~rt time were white fir and blue spruce. Neither species was adapted to the elevation and survival was poor. Later survival plots have incorporated Englemann spruce and loc.gepole pine with excellent survival percentages of 80 percent. Englemann spruce taken from the Fort Collins nursery and planted in September immediately lost all current growth due to the drop in nightly temperatures. It was necessary to move seedling spruce to the higher elevations when they were still dormant or early in the summer to acclimate the seedlings. During the summer of 1971, 2,500 Englemann spruce and lod9epol~a pine were planted in the old clear cut areas in the upper Tenmile Valley. The planting stock was purchased from the State Forest Service in tar paper pots 5.8 cm x 5.8 cm x 22.9 cm (2 in x 2 in x 9 in). Using potted stack there is no problem with transplanting shock as would be the case with bare root seedlings. In 1974 Climax began a transplant-nursery program which is presently ongoing. Even though there has been some success with seedling establishment from State Forest Service stock, native tree and shrub transplanting appears to be the best way to revegetate the upper subalpine areas at Climax. The native species are better acclimated to 'the adverse growing conditions at Climax. 27