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PROJECT ABSTRACT <br />Successful re- establishment of aspen on surface -mined lands in the western United States <br />is problematic, because the species regenerates vegetatively by sprouting from parent <br />roots in the soil which is removed in the mining process. Previous attempts to plant aspen <br />seedlings on reclaimed mines have failed because transplanted root sprouts or seedlings <br />do not have an extensive root system to access water and nutrients for rapid growth. This <br />research builds on work previously funded by the Seneca Coal Company in western <br />Colorado to identify factors that limit the growth and survival of planted aspen. The use <br />of supplemental irrigation to help establish planted aspen was tested; and growth and <br />survival of three types of aspen stock on two soil types were compared. Soil and water <br />conditions were monitored, and the effect of weed control on planting success was <br />examined. The best combination of conditions for reproduction of aspen on reclaimed <br />surface mined coal lands uses transplanted saplings from local sources on freshly placed <br />soil removed from aspen stands. Growth was significantly higher when weeds were <br />controlled around individual trees. Irrigation with non - saline water may enhance growth <br />and survival in years with drought conditions. <br />PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br />Objectives: <br />1. Determine if supplemental drip irrigation will allow transplanted aspen saplings to <br />survive and grow on reclaimed surface mined lands at a western Colorado site. <br />2. Quantify second and third -year growth and physiologic condition of bare -root saplings <br />transplanted to replaced topsoil, aspen sprouting from root segments transferred with <br />replaced topsoil, and nursery -grown potted aspen saplings planted in replaced topsoil. <br />3. Compare irrigation water quality and characteristics of replaced topsoil to that of water <br />and soils in intact aspen groves located on adjacent un -mined lands. <br />4. Quantify the effects of mechanical weed control on growth and survival of young <br />aspen trees. <br />5. Quantify root growth and development of transplanted aspen saplings, natural root <br />sprouts, and nursery -grown potted aspen seedlings after three growing seasons. <br />Background: <br />• <br />