The following work is ongoing:

• The use of tensiometers to monitor the variations in soil suction in the experimental plots.
• The long-term monitoring of two trees, one each from the mole plot and control (flat planting), to record the variation of their stiffness at a 6m height with time. In conjunction with the stiffness measurements the variation in moisture contents in the vicinity of the trees is being recorded. Wind and rain data will be obtained from a weather station located close by.
• Further laboratory work will be conducted.

The following is a summary of some of the results to date.

• The stiffness of the two trees reduced by about 30% of its original over the course of approximately two months between the end of January and the end of March. A slight recovery was noted during April.
• Tensiometers indicate that water table in the mole plot to be at an approximate depth of 0.4m. The tensiometer is located at a 300mm offset from one of the mole drains. The reading was taken on the 1/4/1997