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ASPEN TRANSPLANT STUDY <br />• and <br />ASPEN ESTABLISHMENT TECHNIQUES <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />The following aspen transplant study plan has been developed jointly between Dr. Wayne Sheppard <br />(Research Si/vicu/tura/ist, USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ft. Co//ins, CO/ and Seneca Coal <br />Company ISCCI to investigate the potential of re-establishing aspens on portions of the reclamation <br />area at the Seneca II-W Mine. <br />Aspen IPopu/us tremu/aides Michx.l reproduces primarily by root suckering in the western U.S. <br />Although aspen produces abundant crops of viable seed, dry western climates do not provide the <br />constant moist conditions required for seed germination and first-season growth often enough to result <br />in reliable seedling establishment. This problem is avoided when existing aspen clones vegetatively <br />regenerate, because the extensive pre-existing root system provides ample resources to new sprouts <br />and nurtures them for several years until new roots can develop. Transplanting greenhouse or nursery- <br />grown aspen seedlings into the field has similar problems to those of natural seedlings, indicating that <br />the small root mass of transplanted seedlings is insufficient to absorb enough moisture to maintain the <br />seedlings during periods of summer drought in the wild. In contrast, transplanting sapling-sized aspen <br />in irrigated urban landscapes has not been a problem, because the abundant supplies of water in lawns <br />and landscape beds enable the transplants to thrive. <br />Mimicking the urban environment by providing supplemental irrigation until new roots develop offers a <br />possible solution to re-establish aspen on reclaimed mined lands. Sprinkler irrigation similar to that in <br />urban landscapes is not feasible on reclaimed mines. However, using drip irrigation technology to <br />deliver precise doses of water to each individually planted tree may offer a solution. Since aspen exist <br />naturally in these landscapes they should be able to survive once sufficient root growth occurs and <br />possibly spread to nearby open areas through advantageous root production and subsequent suckering. <br />Several key questions need to be investigated to test this hypothesis: <br />Will supplemental drip irrigation allow aspen transplants to survive on restored mine lands? <br />How much supplemental water will be needed for transplants to survive? <br />How long will supplemental irrigation be needed? <br />Will transplants develop sufficient lateral roots to eventually re-establish aspen clones? <br />These questions will be investigated in an experiment to be conducted on the SCC's II-W Mine <br />reclaimed land. <br />2.0 METHODS <br />The above questions logically should be addressed in a manner that first proves the feasibility of using <br />irrigation to improve initial transplant survival, and if successful, subsequently investigate the other <br />questions of growth and ultimate clonal re-establishment. This study will address the first two <br />questions using an experiment to test drip irrigation at three water application rates on first-season <br />survival and growth of sapling-size aspen transplants. <br />All transplant stock will be moved when dormant, i.e., in the fall after leaves drop. Sapling stock will <br />be obtained from the following sources, listed according to preference: <br />Saplings from aspen stands located on the mine site or lands owned by SCC. A minor revision <br />application to the appropriate permit will be submitted to designate the potential sapling <br />harvest locations, and describe measures that will be taken to minimize and repair associated <br />disturbance. Any such minor revision application will be submitted by August 1, 2004. <br />• Nursery grown stock from seed collected in similar climatic conditions. <br />. Saplings from clear-cut areas in the National Forest lif a permit can be acquired from USFSI. <br />TR-47 223-1 Revised 02/04 <br />