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considerably slower in the plots on the dozer cleared soils. Roots of trees planted deep extended upward <br />toward the surface. <br />Overall recommendation from pilot study. Best conditions for reproduction of aspen on reclaimed <br />surface mined coal lands was by using transplanted saplings from local sources on freshly placed soil <br />removed from aspen stands. Care should be taken to avoid compaction of the replaced soil. Transplanted <br />trees should be planted no deeper than the original root collar, and competing vegetation should be <br />controlled around individual trees. Irrigation with non-saline water might enhance growth and survival in <br />years with drought conditions. After three full years of treatment, surviving trees were expected to thrive <br />without further control of competing vegetation and/or irrigation. Examination of the plots in late 2008 <br />confirmed these expectations. <br />Follow-up study <br />A study was initiated in the fall of 2007 to determine if landscape fabric could be used successfully to <br />control competing vegetation and allow reproduction of aspen and serviceberry woody perennials on <br />reclaimed surface coal mine lands. A detailed description of the study follows. <br />Objectives. The overall objective was to develop improved technologies to address environmental issues <br />related to the reclamation of the land after surface coal mining. The research was to find ways to improve <br />the survival and quality of aspen and serviceberry planted on reclaimed mined lands. Specific objectives <br />were to: <br />1. Determine growth and survival of aspen and serviceberry under different competing vegetation and <br />irrigation conditions on reclaimed surface mined lands at a western Colorado site. <br />2. Quantify physiologic condition of the plants under different competing vegetation and irrigation <br />treatments. <br />Experimental Procedures/Methodologies <br />Study Design <br />The goal of this research was to identify operational effective planting and control of competing <br />vegetation techniques to reestablish self-sustaining woody perennials on reclaimed mine lands that <br />sustained native trees and shrubs before mining. Findings from this study are applicable throughout the <br />U.S. where planting machines are commonly available and woody perennials are grown on reclaimed <br />surface mine lands. Our previous research found that fencing to prevent browsing, control of competing <br />vegetation, and sufficient water availability are critical factors for ensuring adequate survival and growth <br />. of planted aspen trees. This study tested the effectiveness of commercially available techniques used in