TThhee AAppppaallaacchhiiaann RReeggiioonnaall Reforestation Initiative – RRestoriing FForests on MMiinedd LLaanndd PPaattrriicckk NN.. AAnnggeell, PPhh..DD.. Senior Forester/Soil Scientist USDI, Office of Surface Mining LLoonnddoonn, KKeennttuucckkyy Virginia Tech Powell River Project UUnnwweeaatthheerreedd SShhaallee Weathered Sandstone Unweathered Sandstone Forest Topsoil 15-year response of trees and forages University of Kentucky SSttaarrffiirree RReesseeaarrcchh CCoommpplleexx 1 yr 3 yr 7 yr Non-compacted site Compacted site West Virgginia Universityy Catenary Coal Samples Mine Research Methods UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff KKeennttuucckkyy Bent Mountain Research Complex What do trees want? Physical properties • AAtt lleastt 44 ffeett ddeep • Non-compacted • Rocks easilyy weathered • A sandy loam texture • Chemical properties • Low to moderate levels of soluble salts • An equilibrium pH of 5.5 to 6.5 • LLooww ppyyrriittiicc ssuullffuurr • Fertility • AAddeeqquuaattee lleevveellss ooff NN,, PP,, KK aanndd ootthheerr eesssseennttiiaall nnuuttrriieennttss • The Forestryy Reclamation Approach STEP 1: CCrreeaattee aa ssuuiittaabbllee rroooottiinngg mmeeddiiuumm ffoorr good tree growth that is no less than 44 ffeett ddeep andd compriisedd off topsoil, weathered sandstone and/or the best available material The Forestryy Reclamation Approach STEP 2: Loosely grade the topsoil or topsoil ssuubbssttiittuuttee eessttaabblliisshheedd iinn sstteepp oonnee ttoo create a non-compacted growth mmeeddiiuumm
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