Trees for Land Reclamation Sites
Eadha have produced a stock of trees ideally suited for land reclamation sites including:
- Opencast Coal Mines
- Landfill Restoration Sites
- Other Brownfield Industrial Sites
Aspen
Aspen is one of the pioneer native species with an ability to colonise very poor ground. We can select suitable clones from our National Clone Collection including those which have been proven in field trials.
Willow
Eadha is developing a collection of native willow clones including a mine adapted stock sourced from opencast mine and brownfield sites.
Soil Amendments
Our trees are grown using a combination of specially formulated compost amendments including:
- mycorrhizae
- trichoderma fungi
- beneficial soil microbes
- minerals
- trace elements
- humates
This enhanced growing medium will allow our trees to become established on very poor and thin soils precluding the need for costly and unsustainable fertilisers. The trees will have a greater natural health and vigour and be more resistant to disease.
Mycorrhizae
Scots Pine before adding mycorrhizal fungi and after (Dr David Read, Plant Health Care Inc.)
Mycorrhizal fungi in particular are an important component of natural soil ecosystems and are typically absent on reclamation sites. Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plants, and forms a crucial link between plants and their surrounding soil environment. Effectively forming a secondary root system, they allow for increased nutrient uptake (up to 700%), improved water status, pathogen protection and improved soil structure.
The presence of mycorrhizae and other fungi and microbes within the tree cells supplied will act as a catalyst for soil regeneration on brownfield sites.
NOTE: Avoid the use of high phosphorus fertilizer, as this treatment would have a negative effect on mycorrhizal colonization. Fungicides should only be applied at least 2 weeks either before or after planting.
