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• Introduction <br />Successful re- establishment of woody vegetation on surface -mined lands in the <br />United States is problematic. Establishment of aspen and serviceberry has been <br />particularly difficult because these species regenerate from vegetative sprouting from <br />parent roots in the soil which are removed in the mining process. If plants are <br />established from residual parent roots, growth is commonly limited by low soil moisture <br />conditions. In addition, woody perennials are heavily browsed by deer and elk. Previous <br />attempts to plant aspen seedlings on reclaimed mines have failed because transplanted <br />root sprouts or seedlings do not have an extensive root system necessary to access <br />water and nutrients for rapid growth (Shepperd and Mata 2005). Serviceberry <br />regeneration on reclaimed land also has been shown to be difficult. Competing with <br />fast - growing herbaceous vegetation is an important factor in survival of planted woody <br />perennials throughout the US. Landscape fabric has been used in plantings of woody <br />perennials to limit surrounding vegetation that competes for moisture and nutrients. <br />Machine planting of woody perennials using tractor -drawn equipment for planting and <br />laying of landscape fabric on reclaimed surface mine lands can be a cost - effective <br />method for large scale re- vegetation of reclaimed surface coal mine lands. These <br />systems are commonly used for windbreak planting and are available from most state <br />forest nurseries or agricultural extension offices. We simulated the use of commercial <br />machine - planting techniques with landscape fabric to establish aspen and serviceberry <br />on reclaimed mine soils. Our preliminary results from the first year of study suggest that <br />this method greatly enhances survival and growth of the woody perennial aspen. <br />Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and western serviceberry (Amelanchier <br />ainifolia) are important native woody plants occurring throughout the western and <br />northern United States. Of the few broad - leaved hardwood trees in many western <br />forests, aspen is a valuable ecological component of many landscapes, occurring in pure <br />forests as well as growing in association with many conifer and other hardwood species. <br />Aspen stands provide desirable scenic value, and the diversity of plants growing under <br />• <br />K <br />