April 1, 2005
For immediate release | Becky Hatmaker
(865) 545-4103, ext. 148
Vic Davis
(865) 545-4103, ext. 139 |
Tennessee High School students plant trees
to celebrate Arbor Day, push reforestation
State and Federal Officials "take the pledge" for more trees on restored mine lands
(Oneida, TN) - Scott County High School students joined federal and Tennessee officials March 30 to plant hardwood trees on reclaimed coal mined land in celebration of Arbor Day and a new partnership working for reforestation in Appalachia.
The event was held near Oneida, on a reclaimed abandoned mine land site owned by Christy and Jerry Marcum. It was hosted by the Office of Surface Mining (OSM), Knoxville Field Office.
The event started with a demonstration of proper tree planting techniques by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Scott County High School students and other participants planted over 400 hardwood tree seedlings including Shumard Oak, Pin Oak, and Green Ash. In addition to the environmental benefits, the tree planting provided a unique opportunity for the high school students to work hand-in-hand with professional staff from various state and federal agencies.
The event also provided a forum for new Tennessee partners to join the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) by pledging to promote the establishment of productive forestland during the reclamation of abandoned and active coal mining sites. ARRI is an initiative to promote the planting of hardwood trees on reclaimed mine lands in Appalachia and to increase the survival and growth rates of those trees.
State officials that signed the ARRI Statement of Mutual Intent (SMI) were: David Arnold, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry; and Tim Eagle, Tennessee Environment and Conservation Department, Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation. Other participants included representatives from the Scott County Soil Conservation District, Oneida Water and Wastewater, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources and Conservation Service, National Park Service, and the landowner Christy Marcum.
During the signing ceremony, David Arnold stated that Governor Phil Bredesen is an advocate of reforestation with hardwoods. He also stressed the importance of using partnerships to accomplish goals. The Department of Agriculture will be an integral part of ARRI in Tennessee by growing native hardwood tree seedlings at the Delano State Nursery, and by providing training and technical assistance.
A common theme shared by all is a desire to replenish the rich hardwood forestland originally found throughout Tennessee. Current forestry research has confirmed that productive hardwood forestland can be created on reclaimed mine sites by using a Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA). The first of five steps using FRA is to create a suitable rooting medium for good tree growth that is no less than four feet deep and comprised of topsoil, weathered sandstone and/or the best available material. The second step is to loosely grade the topsoil or topsoil substitute to create a non-compacted growth medium. The third step in is to plant native and noncompetitive ground covers that are compatible with growing trees. Next, plant two types of trees, early succession species for wildlife and soil stability and commercially valuable crop trees. Finally, use proper tree planting techniques.
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