influence of Tree shelters and Weed Mats on Growth and Survival of Backcrossed Chestnut Seedlings on Legacy Minelands in Eastern Kentucky

Surface mining for coal has contributed to wide-scale deforestation and forest fragmentation in the eastern United States. Over the last thirty years, mine reclamation practices involving heavy compaction and introduction of nonnative vegetation have produced large areas of reclaimed land, which exist in a state of arrested natural succession, termed legacy sites. These sites were reclaimed to standards of the day, which usually involved compaction of the surface material and seeding an aggressive ground cover to control erosion. These sites are typically dominated by non-native grasses and legumes (e.g., tall fescue and lespedeza) and are often colonized by invasive and undesirable woody shrubs (e.g., autumn olive). Interest in restoring native hardwood forest on these sites has grown over the past decade. The development of techniques to mitigate the unfavorable soil and vegetative conditions on these legacy sites is essential to forest restoration in Appalachia. In addition to representing a good opportunity for native hardwood reforestation in Appalachia, legacy sites present a unique opportunity to reintroduce improved blight resistant American chestnut across much of its native range. This study investigated the impacts of tree shelters and weed mats on the growth and survival of planted American chestnuts on legacy mine sites in eastern Kentucky. Shelters significantly reduced browse pressure from deer and therefore improved growth and survival in most instances. Weed mats did not significantly influence tree growth or survival and were unpredictable in their effect on herbaceous biomass. This study demonstrates that properly prepared legacy mine sites can support the establishment of improved American chestnuts.