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• 3 AF 14 SF 3 A <br />2 AF 15 S 2 AF <br />1 A 16 SF 1 A <br />Experimental Treatments <br />Vegetative Competition. Half of the trees were planted with landscape fabric and half <br />without. This was to verify the importance of protecting plants from vegetative <br />competition in survival of the aspen and serviceberry on reclaimed lands. <br />Irri ation. Based on findings from 2005-2007 irrigation study, we applied clean water <br />(low-saline) or no water (control treatment) every other week. All plots received local <br />ambient rainfall in addition to irrigation treatments. Irrigation water was applied to <br />irrigated plots by hand from a bulk tank. Soil moisture status was determined from <br />gravimetric soil moisture measurements, and plant water status measurements were <br />obtained using a plant water status console. <br />Field Measurements <br />Growth. Aspen and serviceberry were measured for height and basal caliper <br />• (diameter) at planting, and at the end of the first summer growing season for height and <br />caliper growth and survival. Observations on leaf size and chlorosis were also noted. <br />Terminal leader growth and stem diameter (caliper) data were not normally distributed, <br />and therefore a Gaussian or lognormal transformation was conducted on the original data <br />prior to statistical analysis. <br />Physiological status. Physiological conditions, such as stomatal conductance, <br />photosynthesis, and respiration, may show response to drought or other stress prior to any <br />visible indications of leaf stress. These physiological measurements may provide an early <br />indication of which plants are stressed and not likely to survive. We collected <br />physiological measurements of aspen plants in each treatment, including leaf water <br />potential, photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. This allows a better evaluation of <br />the physiological stress conditions occurring under specific treatments; and the <br />physiological conditions favorable for survival. Serviceberry was not monitored for <br />physiological status since the plants and leaves were too small. <br />Soil and Water. At each planting site soil samples from within the topsoil down to <br />. overburden were collected for analysis for texture and fertility (organic matter, pH, N, P,