Root dipping of seedlings with water-absorbent gel improves survival on surface mine sites in West Virginia.

Eight tree species were planted at two surface mine sites in north-central West Virginia. In 1990, seedlings were planted on a reclaimed bench at Maidsville and in 1991 on an unreclaimed spoil near Masontown. At both sites, half the seedlings of each species were treated by root dipping with a water-absorbent gel (Supersorb-F). For 11 of 18 comparisons, seedlings with the root dip treatment had higher survival than untreated seedlings. The benefit was small except for black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on the Maidsville site. Root dipping is an inexpensive option for bareroot planting on surface mines and will probably produce the most consistent benefit on harsher sites. Tree Planters' Notes 43(4):159-162; 1992.