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• THE USE OF LANDSCAPE FABRIC AND SUPPLEMENTAL <br />IRRIGATION TO ENHANCE SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF <br />WOODY PERENNIALS PLANTED ON RECLAIMED SURFACE <br />MINE LANDS' <br />R.C. Musselman 2, F.W. Smith, W.D. Shepperd, L.A. Asherin, and B.W. Gee <br />Abstract: A study was initiated to determine the effectiveness of <br />landscape fabric and supplemental irrigation in survival and growth of <br />woody perennials planted on reclaimed surface coal mine lands. The <br />study compared growth and survival of nursery grown potted aspen and <br />serviceberry planted with or without landscape fabric, and with or without <br />biweekly supplemental irrigation. First year survival and growth indicates <br />that the landscape fabric was particularly crucial in survival and growth of <br />aspen trees on sites with heavy competing vegetative cover. Supplemental <br />irrigation appears to have provided limited advantage compared to the <br />landscape fabric. Photosynthesis and pre-dawn moisture stress <br />measurements on the aspen indicated that aspen trees were more stressed <br />without landscape fabric. Soil moisture was higher under the landscape <br />fabric. The serviceberry plants did not respond to landscape fabric or <br />• irrigation treatment during the first growing season. <br />Additional Key Words: Amelanchier alnifolia, aspen, competition, <br />Populus tremuloides, re-vegetation, serviceberry, soil moisture <br />1 Paper was presented at the 2009 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining <br />and Reclamation, Billings, MT. Revitalizing the Environment: Proven Solutions and <br />Innovative Approaches May 30 - June 5, 2009. R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.) Published by <br />ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. <br />2 Robert C. Musselman is Plant Physiologist, and Lance A. Asherin is. Forester, Rocky <br />Mountain Research Station, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort <br />Collins, CO 80526; Frederick W. Smith is Professor, Wayne D. Shepperd is Research <br />Associate, and Brian W. Gee is Graduate Student, Colorado State University, Department <br />of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship, Fort Collins, CO 80523. <br />