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0 PROJECT ABSTRACT <br />Successful re-establishment of aspen on surface-mined lands in the western United States is <br />problematic, because the species regenerates vegetatively by sprouting from parent roots in the <br />soil which is removed in the mining process. Previous attempts to plant aspen seedlings on <br />reclaimed mines have failed because transplanted root sprouts or seedlings do not have an <br />extensive root system to access water and nutrients for rapid growth. This research builds on <br />work previously funded by the Seneca Coal Company in western Colorado to identify factors <br />that limit the growth and survival of planted aspen. The use of supplemental irrigation to help <br />establish planted aspen was tested; and growth and survival of three types of aspen stock on two <br />soil types were compared. Soil and water conditions were monitored, and the effect of weed <br />control on planting success was examined. The best combination of conditions for reproduction <br />of aspen on reclaimed surface mined coal lands uses transplanted saplings from local sources on <br />freshly placed soil removed from aspen stands. Growth was significantly higher when weeds <br />were controlled around individual trees. Irrigation with non-saline water may enhance growth <br />and survival in years with drought conditions. <br />PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br />Objectives: <br />1. Determine if supplemental drip irrigation will allow transplanted aspen saplings to survive and <br />M grow on reclaimed surface mined lands at a western Colorado site. <br />2. Quantify second and third-year growth and physiologic condition of bare-root saplings <br />transplanted to replaced topsoil, aspen sprouting from root segments transferred with replaced <br />topsoil, and nursery-grown potted aspen saplings planted in replaced topsoil. <br />3. Compare irrigation water quality and characteristics of replaced topsoil to that of water and <br />soils in intact aspen groves located on adjacent un-mined lands. <br />4. Quantify the effects of mechanical weed control on growth and survival of young aspen trees. <br />5. Quantify root growth and development of transplanted aspen saplings, natural root sprouts, <br />and nursery-grown potted aspen seedlings after three growing seasons. <br />Background: <br />Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the most widespread tree species in North America <br />(Baker 1925; Preston 1976; Lieffers and others 2001), and thought to be second in worldwide <br />range only to Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula) (Jones 1985a).