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Direct Seeding of Tree Species on Copper Mine Wastes in the Southwestern United States¹

ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted in Arizona to study the effects of four soil materials in copper mine wastes (desert soil, overburden, overburden plus tailings, and tailings) on germination, seedling establishment, and growth of five tree species. Seeds of desert tobacco (Nicotiana glauca Grah.), tiny capsule (Eucalyptus microtheca F. J. Muell.), silver dollar gum (Eucalyptus polyanthemos Schauer), red gum (Eucalyptus rostrata Schlechtend.), and velvet mesquite [Prosopis juliflora (Swartz.) DC.] were broadcast planted on each soil material. Plant growth data indicated that desert soil was most productive followed by overburden, overburden plus tailings, and tailings, in decreasing order. All tree species produced taller plants, more dry matter yield, and more ground cover during their second year of growth than they did during the first year. Although desert tobacco grew taller and produced more ground cover than did the other four tree species, the establishment of the five species together on copper mine wastes may provide the most desirable revegetation on the disturbed areas. It is believed that the planting of a variety of adapted trees on copper mine wastes in the southwestern U.S. is the most effective way to revegetate these disturbed areas and blend them into the surrounding environment.

Key Words: environmental pollution • mine spoils • disturbed land • wastes • revegetation • stabilization

¹ Contribution from the Arizona Agric. Exp. Stn., Univ. of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ 85721; and Cyprus Pima Mining Co., Tucson, AZ 85713. Approved for publication as Arizona Agric. Exp. Stn. Res. Contribution no. 2996.

² Agronomist, Dep. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson; and Agronomist, Cyprus Pima Mining Co., Tucson, respectively.

Received for publication May 5, 1979.