The degradation of land formerly reclaimed after surface‐coal‐mining (opencast) is a widespread problem in upland Wales (UK). This community‐based project aims to support the voluntary sector in land reclamation by investigating the means of reversing land degradation. It explores ways of encouraging trees to ameliorate the severely compacted, infertile, mine‐soils typical of former opencast sites. This study evaluates the benefits of a single initial application of 2‐year slow release fertilizer (SRF), both with and without additional supplements, through a 10‐year controlled experiment in a mixed planting of common Alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn), Oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus robur L. and hybrids) supplemented with Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris, L.); Silver Birch (Betula pendula, Roth); Goat Willow (Salix caprea, L.) and Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia, L.). After 10 years, SRF treatment resulted in a small, marginally significant, decrease in survival (85% vs. 83%) across all species, except Oak, but SRF‐treated trees were significantly larger than those given no‐SRF at planting (421 cm vs. 368 cm). By contrast, in Year 5 data, only SRF‐treated Alders are marginally significantly larger, whereas in Years 1–3 across all six species, significantly more records show greater mean growth in trees with no‐SRF than those given SRF at planting. Probably, this delayed response to SRF treatment resulted from the slow development of the larger soil ecosystem. Treatment with additional supplements (double SRF, remineralization agent and superphosphate) tended to have negative impacts on growth but double SRF and to a lesser degree remineralization had a positive effect on survival.

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Many reclaimed opencast coal-lands in Wales are now seriously degraded. This study explores the 10-year growth of native trees planted on compacted coal spoil. It compares the relative benefits of planting with spent mushroom compost (SMC) or well-rotted farmyard manure (FYM), both with and without supplementary fertilizer. Four main tree species—Common Alder, Oak, Scots Pine and Silver Birch—are considered. The survival of SMC-planted trees (77%) was significantly higher than for FYM-planted (72%). In Year 10, SMC-planted trees were significantly taller than those planted with FYM (4.75 vs. 4.57 m, respectively). Similarly, basal diameter (measured above the root collar) was larger among the SMC-planted trees. Discriminant analysis showed that the key discriminating variable between SMC-planted and FYM-planted trees was the type of fertilizer applied during planting. Adding slow-release fertilizer (SRF) and SRF plus superphosphate (SRF + P2O5) was beneficial to FYM-planted trees. Fertilizer supplements often favor the growth of FYM-planted trees in the early years, but later SMC-planted trees take the lead. The only species that benefited long term from FYM or fertilizer supplements was Alder. Overall, SMC-planted trees perform better than FYM-planted trees, but some of the difference can be mitigated by supplementary fertilization. Overall, SMC-planted trees perform better than FYM-planted trees.

The present study examines the possibilities for vermiculite usage for recultvation of copper mining waste embankment. For this purpose, a laboratory study was carried out. The study which included the mixing of mining waste with different ratios of vermiculite and adds of other soil improvers (fertilizers and lime) with different norms. As a result is, is observed that the vermiculite addition in larger quantities did not affect the pH of the substrate. The content of major pollutants in the waste - Cu and As, remains relatively high - over the maximum permissible concentrations. Independently of the added vermiculite, it is necessary to apply calcium materials and fertilizers to improve substrate properties.