COLUMBUS, OH - Abandoned mine lands in eight eastern Ohio counties have a new look this spring thanks to reforestation efforts by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), which planted 200,000 tree seedlings.
Reforestation in such areas is important for preventing sediment run-off into streams and other watersheds, improving aesthetics, and providing more adequate ground cover, according to Mike Sponsler, chief of the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management. "The state has planted more than 5,000,000 trees on 5,000 acres of abandoned mine land sites since 1982," said Sponsler. "The trees in these areas are providing improved wildlife habitats and an overall better environment."
Sites selected for reforestation must meet a list of considerations, including whether the site will not be re-mined, and if it is listed in the abandoned mine land inventory as a watershed with sediment problems. This spring, seedlings were planted in the following counties: Noble, Belmont, Harrison, Meigs, Washington, Coshocton, Jefferson and Perry. A variety of tree species were planted, including white ash, white pine, red oak, Virginia pine, sawtooth oak, bald cypress, river birch and sycamore. About half of the trees are treated to increase their ability to absorb water and nutrients and improve their ability to grow in harsh conditions.
All of the seedlings were grown by the ODNR Division of Forestry's Marietta Nursery. Landowners must agree to allow ODNR to have access to the planting area and promise not to use the land in a manner detrimental to the growth of the trees for a seven-year period.