THE FEASIBILITY OF TREE PLANTING ON LANDFILL CONTAINMENT SITES

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Abstract
Summary Tree planting on completed landfill containment sites is a viable alternative to agricultural grassland, which is currently the most common after-use. Because of fears of tree roots penetrating the clay cap and releasing landfill gases and leachate as well as allowing oxygen beneath the surface potentially producing an explosive mix little interest has been shown in the results of research and development therefrom. The effects of anaerobic conditions and localised hotspots on the successful establishment of trees may also be significant as well as problems associated with the waterlogging and drought conditions commonly occurring on restored sites. However, little research has been carried out and knowledge of the long term growth of trees on landfill containment sites is rudimentary. It is proposed in this paper that with adequate planning and appropriate management regimes, successful tree planting and afforestation could be undertaken at relatively low cost.