Performance of red pine and Japanese larch planted on anthracite coal-breaker refuse

Red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis (Sieb. and Zucc.) Gord.) seedlings were planted on coal-breaker refuse with all combinations of two levels of lime, two levels of fertilizer, and four mulch treatments. The site was highly unfavorable as a medium for tree growth, and the 4-year results show that: lime application was essential for adequate survival and establishment of both species; neither mulch nor fertilizer treatments contributed substantially to tree establishment and height growth; and after 4 years, the pH values are still neutral in the top 4 in. of the limed plots.