Discussion
Some general observations follow. Hopefully, experimental data and long-term observation to
establish these points will confirm them in due course.
¥It appears that weathered brown
sandstone is the best substrate for chestnut growth in eastern and
western Kentucky, although mixed brown and grey sandstone
also is suitable, and possibly even
grey sandstone.
¥Pretreatment with ectomycorhizzal
fungi appears to enhance chestnut establishment and growth.
¥
¥Loosening of compacted spoil by
ripping, tail dumping or auguring appears to improve chestnut
establishment and growth.
¥
¥Either seeds or seedlings appear to be
suitable for chestnut establishment on mined lands. Seeds
are easier and more inexpensive to handle than seedlings and
avoid the risk of introducing
Phytophthora cinnamomi into mined lands,
but seedlings are the customary materials for tree
plantings. To
address this problem, TACF is funding research on managing Phytophthora root
rot
in forest nurseries.
¥
¥Chestnut is especially well adapted to
dry, acidic soils, but does require nitrogen. Fertilization is
especially critical to establishment and can easily be
incorporated into planting methods.
Establishment of nitrogen fixing plants, such as legumes
(forbs/trees) may be an economical
means of providing the nitrogen critical to the long-term
success of afforestion on mined lands.