Growth and survival of seven native willow species on highly disturbed coal mine sites in eastern Canada
Abstract
Significant differences were apparent in seven native North American willow (Salix) species compared and assessed in common garden field tests for survival, biomass production, and coppice structure on former coal mine sites in New Brunswick, Canada. In most species, percentage survival was relatively constant after the initial establishment phase, allowing good prediction of final survival in the first or second year after establishment. Unrooted dormant stem sections collected from clones of five willow species previously field-tested and selected for survival and growth, survived and grew better on the mine site to be reclaimed than those collected directly from natural populations, demonstrating the ability to rapidly improve survival results based on prior field testing. Survival at ages 5 and 6 improved from an average of 70% to 94% for S. eriocephala Michx. and from 42% to 84% for S. interior Rowlee. The best clones in both species had over 95% survival and had approximately 5–6 t·ha−1 (t = tonne) fresh mass after 2 years of coppice growth. We recommend these two species for use in mine reclamation activities, because they grew best overall and had the highest survival rates. Despite poor average rooting ability in S. bebbiana Sarg., S. discolor Muhl., and S. humilis Marshall, some genotypes of these species showed good survival and growth, and further selection for these traits is warranted.
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Riparian varieties have demonstrated superior ability to establish large root systems even on impoverished sites.
“Riparian varieties, in particular, have demonstrated superior ability to establish large root systems even on impoverished sites (Mosseler et al., 2014).”
From SURFACE MINE TO BIOMASS FARM: GROWING SHRUB WILLOW (SALIX SPP.) IN NORTHEASTERN WEST VIRGINIA - FIRST YEAR RESULTS (2017) · cites this paper as Mosseler et al., 2014
Previous studies that explored willow production on mine land were used to verify the range of yield values used in this analysis.
“Previous studies that explored willow production on mine land were used to verify the range of yield values that were used in this analysis. 15,18,21,22”
From Mobilizing mine lands for biobased decarbonization strategies (2025) · cites this paper as [22]
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Economic comparative advantage of willow biomass in the Northeast USA
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- Authors
- Mosseler, A., Major, J. E., & Labrecque, M.
- Affiliations
- Canadian Forest Service (CA)
- Université de Montréal (CA)
- ORCID
- Labrecque, M.
- Venue
- Canadian Journal of Forest Research
- Publisher
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Published
- 2014-04
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 340-349
- ISSN
- 0045-5067 (ISSN-L)
- 1208-6037
- OpenAlex
- W1970359279
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4
- FWCI
- 6.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Canadian Journal of Forest Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Seedling growth and survival studies
- Social Sciences › Law › Geology and Environmental Impact Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Keywords
- willow, coal mine reclamation, plant survival, biomass production, clone selection, Salix eriocephala, Salix interior, Salix bebbiana, Salix discolor, Salix humilis, rooting ability, native tree species
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