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Mine Land Reforestation at Pigeon's Roost
Project Date: June 2024 - August 2025
Location: Claiborne County, TN
Waterway improved: Upper Cumberland Watershed
Restoration methods: Soil ripping, invasive plant removal, native seedling planting
Reforesting previously mined land

In 2025, the Cumberland River Compact reforested 50 acres of degraded mine land in Claiborne County, TN—an ecologically important mountainous area known as Pigeon’s Roost. After being used for industrial mining, the soil at the site was left severely compacted and overrun with grasses and clover– only a few trees remained from a failed prior planting. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Google, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Compact planted over 22,000 native seedlings. The goal for this site was to establish suitable elk habitat, helping to expand the territory of Appalachian elk populations, which are threatened due to previous overhunting and habitat loss. The project marks another step in transforming Tennessee and Kentucky’s abandoned mine lands into thriving, resilient forests.

PROJECT ORIGINS

As part of an ongoing commitment to restoring aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to improve water quality in the Cumberland River basin, the Cumberland River Compact began planning its third mine land reforestation project at a site known as Pigeon’s Roost in June 2024. This project focuses on the headwaters region of the Cumberland River basin—one of the most ecologically rich areas in the world—where compacted soils from mining and invasive species have limited natural forest regeneration.

The project is a continuation of the Compact’s partnership with The Nature Conservancy to reforest degraded mine land located in the Cumberland Forest Project, a 253,000 acre tract of protected land stretching over eastern Tennessee and Kentucky. Pigeon’s Roost is located in Claiborne County, TN, and is aptly named for its high elevation and breathtaking views. 

The mining company that once operated on Pigeon’s Roost left the site in a stunted state of growth; what was once a lush forest was now a treeless expanse dominated by a relatively unproductive cover of grasses and weeds. A previous attempt at restoration was largely unsuccessful, leaving only a few trees scattered on the slopes. This was likely because the trees planted were unable to develop extensive root systems in the tightly compacted soil.

Using proven methods of the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) and advised by the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, the Compact decompacted the soil at Pigeon’s Roost and planted a native mixed hardwood forest. When they mature, these trees will enhance wildlife habitats and improve water quality by reducing surface runoff, thereby limiting the flow of sediment, chemicals, and metals into nearby streams and helping to reduce major mountain flooding events.

The hard, rocky hillsides of Pigeon’s Roost were dominated by undesirable species like clover and fescue prior to the Compact’s work there.

SOIL RIPPING

The first step was soil decompaction, which allows for aeration and increased capacity for water infiltration. This was accomplished by ‘cross ripping’ the barren ground with a Cat D9R bulldozer pulling two four-foot ripping shanks, fully immersed in the soil, across the landscape to break up the compacted soil. The initial pass created ‘rips’ spaced 8 ft apart; the operator then made a second pass perpendicular to the first, maintaining the same 8 ft spacing, resulting in a cross-hatch pattern that effectively loosened the compacted soil for reforestation. In more steeply sloped areas, the land was ripped at a 45 degree angle to prevent erosion that a downward rip could contribute to.

Seen from above: The first soil ripping pass at Pigeon’s Roost.

REFORESTATION

Following the soil decompaction, the 50-acre site was planted with 22,750 seedlings consisting of 18 native species. As part of the White Oak and Short Leaf Pine Initiatives, the species mix included 10,875 white oak and 2,088 shortleaf pine seedlings. Seedlings were planted on an 8×16 grid and then infilled with extras afterward. This project was planted at a lower density to support TWRA’s long-term goal of developing suitable habitat for elk.

OUTREACH

Google contributed funding for this project as part of their commitment to water stewardship in and around the communities where they operate.

Compact Working Lands Division Manager Caroline Hutchins chats with crew members while seedlings are prepped.

FOLLOW UP

At all mine land reforestation sites, Compact staff conduct a survivability survey approximately 6 months after planting to assess the success of the site. The Compact expects 70% of the planted seedlings to survive their first year, an industry standard when using the FRA. Volunteer trees will also be able to grow now as a result of the improved soil condition from decompaction and aeration. To date, this project has been a successful continuation of the Compact’s work to transform degraded mine lands into thriving ecosystems, ensuring cleaner water and healthier forests.

If all goes well, Compact staff will return to find a much greener version of the Pigeon’s Roost site when the survivability study is conducted in August 2025.

Project Sponsors

This project was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Chubb Charitable Foundation, Beam Suntory Global Spirits, and Google. Other project partners include: