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<br />reclamation becomes a reality. These species would probably show much <br />~ better survival rates than lodgepole and spruce, and would also be <br />used at the mine site if available. <br />Aspen transplants are being planted at both the :nine and <br />mil'1 sites and are included as one of the 40 per acre transplant <br />mixture for both sites. <br />I,odgepole and spruce have been the principal evergreen <br />species planted at the mill site also, however, when comprehensive <br />reclamation is initiated at mine closure, evergreens used :.or revege- <br />tation of the mill site will be an evenly distributed mixture of <br />lodgepole, spruce, ponderosa and douglas fir. <br />Presently, all seedlings are protected from the :;un and the <br />wind with cedar shake shingles or some other more natural Y~arrier such <br />as a rock, stump or log. This will continue to be done unless we <br />determine it to be unnecessary, at which =ime we would abandon this <br />practice. <br />Lodgepole seed was planted in 1977 on severely disturbed <br />sites to test the feasibility of this approach versus the planting of <br />seedlings. <br />Experience has shown that two or three years are necessary <br />before trees and transplants can.be considered successful. Root <br />development is the primary emphasis during the first season. Tree <br />seedlings do well to survive and develop adequate root stock during <br />the first two years, and do not produce significant above ground <br />growth until the third season. Even then "significant" third year <br />growth of evergreens at the mine site is three-fourths of a:n inch. <br />Good third year growth at the mill site is two to four inch•~s. <br />9-4 <br />