322 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



area. In line with its comprehensive area development activities, 

 P.P. & L. accepted the responsibility for initiating a beautification 

 program throughout the anthracite area. The program is called 

 Operation Trees. The objective is to establish vegetation trees for 

 the most part either to screen the view of disturbed areas or to cover 

 disturbed areas entirely. The landscape would then become attrac- 

 tive which would, in turn, enhance the region's opportunities for 

 securing new industries. 



In July 1961, P.P. & L. contracted for research to be undertaken 

 by the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, U.S. Department 

 of Agriculture. They prepared maps delineating and classifying 

 all disturbed areas by spoil type and existing tree cover. They also 

 indicated the areas requiring screen and cover plantings and they 

 indicated potential water recreation sites. 



Their survey showed a total disturbed area of about 175 square 

 miles. They estimated 20 million trees would be required for the 

 conspicuous, most unsightly areas that were easily visible from the 

 main roads. Less than a million would be for screen plantings 

 and the remainder would be cover plantings. 



In addition to mapping, the research work is also determining 

 the growth and survival rate of various species of trees on mine banks, 

 and the suitability of various trees for cover and screening purposes. 



Research is being conducted on areas which were planted by the 

 Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Water and the Department 

 of Mines and Mineral Industries. Eleven species have so far been 

 found to survive on 172 plots located throughout the region. These 

 11 species have been classified as to survival, vigor, aspect, height, 

 age, soil material, and slope. 



In addition, 40 experimental areas were planted by the Forest 

 Service during the 1963 spring planting season, so that other species 

 could be determined suitable for planting on spoil banks. However, 

 this information will not be available until next year. P.P. & L. 

 contacted the major mining interests to inform them of this program 

 and they have been most cooperative. 



With the completion of the initial phases of the research work in 

 1963, P.P. & L. planted five sample areas along arterial highways 

 with ball and burlap trees. These gave the public an opportunity 

 to see the potential effect of the screening program. 



Our next step was an extensive campaign to secure volunteer 

 groups who would assist in the first mass screen plantings in 1964. 



