Performance of three pine species after eleven years on pre- and post-law mined sites in Virginia

摘要

A reforestation experiment to test the growth and value of three pine species was established on two surface-mined sites in the Appalachian coalfields of Virginia. One site was mined just prior to enactment of the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), and one site was mined and reclaimed to its approximate original contour in accordance with post-SMCRA regulations. Three pine species (Pinus taeda, P. virginiana, and P. strobus) were planted on each site in 1981. A fertilization and an herbaceous weed control treatment were tested. Half the plots were fertilized with a 21-g fertilizer tablet at time of planting and a broadcast application of 50 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate prior to the fourth growing season. Each plot was split toaccommodate an herbaceous weed control treatment during the first three years. After 11 years, all three tree species grew very well on the pre-law bench site, but were less productive on the postlaw AOC site. The fastest-growing species was loblolly pine, which averaged 22 feet tall. Aggressive herbaceous ground covers commonly established on surface-mined land to reduce erosion were successfully controlled by herbicides, resulting in a significant improvement in survival and growth of all tree species. Fertilization had little effect on tree growth and was not as beneficial for tree establishment as the herbicide treatment. The good performance of these commercial tree species in this study demonstrates that good forest management opportunities exist for the owners of surface-mined land.