Taconite tailing wastes in Minnesota are infertile and difficult to vegetate to meet mineland reclamation standards. Taconite tailing reclamation is a potential use for a municipal solid waste (MSW) compo~t product. MSW compost is rich in organic compounds, and its application to tailing is likely to improve fertility even though it may increase the level of potentially harmful trace metals. This study assesses tree growth and elemental tissue concentrations of Souixland poplar (Populus deltoides var. Souixland) planted in four 420-m 2 field plots. Plots were randomly treated with 0, 22.4, 44.8, or 89.6 Mg/ha of MSW compost. After compost application, all plots were fertilized, disced, seeded with a grass-legume µrixture, and planted with rooted cuttings of poplar at a 2 by 2.5 m spacing. After two growing seasons, tree growth was significantly greater where compost was applied. The average growth per live tree was highest in the 89.6 Mg/ha plot. Average tree height increased from 68.2 to 84.1 cm, a 23% increase over the control for the highest rate. Survival of trees; however, ranged from 84 to 98% for the high rate and control, respectively. Ground cover and biomass increased with increasing compost application rates. Analyses of the compost indicated that it met regulations for field application, including PCB's and trace metals. Soils analyses of the tailing after compost application showed higher levels of N, P, S, Zn, and Cu with increasing application rates. Analyses of poplar leaf tissue revealed slightly higher concentrations of P, Zn, Cu, and Cd for treatments receiving compost. Results suggest that applying compost to coarse tailing will increase the growth of ground cover and poplar trees without adversely affecting the environment.