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• Irrigation Treatments: Based on findings from 2005 -2007 irrigation treatments, <br />we applied either clean water (low- saline) from a municipal water source or no water <br />(control treatment) every other week. All treatments received local ambient rainfall. <br />One gallon of water was applied to each irrigated plant by hand from a bulk tank during <br />mid -day once every two weeks from mid -June until early September. Water was <br />delivered from a pail with a small hole in the bottom placed at each plant. Soil moisture <br />status was determined from gravimetric soil moisture measurements and plant water <br />status measurements were obtained from a plant water status console. Serviceberry <br />was not monitored separately for water stress since the plants and leaves were too <br />small. <br />Vegetative Competition Treatments: Half of the trees were planted with <br />landscape fabric and half without. This was to verify the importance of protecting plants <br />from vegetative competition in survival of the aspen and serviceberry on reclaimed <br />lands. <br />• Field Measurements: <br />Growth: Aspen and serviceberry were measured at planting and throughout the <br />summer growing season for growth and survival. Growth measurements included leader <br />length and basal caliper (diameter). Observations on leaf size and chlorosis were also <br />noted. Overwinter survival was recorded in May 2009. <br />Physiological status: Physiological conditions, such as stomatal conductance, <br />photosynthesis, and respiration, may show response to drought prior to indication by <br />plant water status or prior to any visible indications of leaf stress. This may be an early <br />indicator of which plants are stressed and not likely to survive. We collected <br />physiological measurements of the plants in each treatment, including leaf water <br />potential, photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. This allows a better evaluation <br />of the physiological stress conditions occurring under specific treatments; and the <br />physiological conditions favorable for survival. <br />Soil and Water: At each planting site soil samples from within the topsoil down <br />n <br />LJ <br />to overburden were collected for analysis for texture and fertility (organic matter, pH, N, <br />15 <br />