Establishment of hardwood tree and shrub species on a Texas lignite mine using irrigation, mulch and shade

Hardwood tree and shrub species were planted in 1989 and 1990 to determine survival value of irrigation, mulch and artificial shade in 1989 and irrigation only in 1990. Mean 1989 survival was significantly (α=0.05) increased by irrigation (61% vs. 35%), whereas mulch and shade appeared to have no effect. A subset of the 1989 plots was irrigated again in 1990, and new plots were established. Mulch and shade were discontinued as treatments. The 1990 survival of the 1989 planting showed that irrigation during a second year had no additional effect on survival (41% irrigated in 1989; 42% irrigated in both 1989 and 1990; 25% never irrigated). Survival of the 1990 seedlings was lower than in 1989, but was significantly (α=0.05) increased by irrigation (38% vs. 22%). The research tested a simple, mobile irrigation system that can be economically applied to similar situations.