The Elbert County tribune., 1907-03-28
wind-Rreaks sna Shelter Belts for tho
Plains
by B. o. Longyear.

are plantations of trees or similar
plants intended to check the force OF
the wind. They may be used to les
sen the drying effects of hot winds in
summer to prevent injury or loss to
fruit in autumn and to shut off the
cold winds of winter from yards and
buildings. Wind-breaks for the last
purpose are usually called shelter
belts, and are often made several rods
in width.
The location of the wind-break will,
of course, depend on the direction of
the prevailing winds. For general
purposes the north and west sides OF
the area 10 be protected are the ones
along which the trees are planted in
most portions of this state. Shelter
belts should be planted far enough
from buildings so that drifting SHOWS
on the inner side will not be an incon-
venience.
The simplest kind of wind-break is
one formed by planting some one
species of tree in a single, close row.
II tall-growing tree is used alone in
this way there is tendency for the
trees to spindle up and in time the
trunks lose their lower branches. Such
an arrangement may do very well for
a time, or whore only partial checking
of the winds force is desired. But
where more complete shelter from
winds is desired, it is usually neces-
sary to plant several rows of different
species, so arranged that the low.
dense growing kinds will fill in the
places between the taller ones.
For the taller-growing tree in this,
region the common cottonwood may
be used, setting them about eight feet
apart for the outer or north and west
rows. A second row of some denser-
growing kind should be planted about
eight feet from the first and as close
as four feet in the row. For this pur-
pose box elder is a suitable tree, eX-
cept in dry situations, in which case
the green ash Is recommended. The
trees in the third row may be planted
the same as in the second row, using
more compact-growing kind. The
Russian golden willow is recommended
for this purpose as rapid grower. The
Russian wild olive is a more compact
tree OF lower growth and is particu-
larly desirable. White or American
elm is also a suitable tree for the in
ner rows in many places. especially
where a fair amount of moisture can
be depended on.
In cases where the wind is exception
ally strong it may be found necessary
to plant belt four or FIVE rods wide,
in order to secure complete protection.
The outer two rows may consist of
Russian olive, the third and fourth
rows of black locust, the fifth and
sixth rows of box elder or ash, the
seventh and eighth rows of American
elm, and the inner two or three rows
Il -. t1A
rows being about eight feet apart. The
golden Russian willow may be used in
place of the elm, and honey locust may
take the place of the black locust.
The ground should be prepared as
carefully as for a crop of grain or
sugar beets. Where the rows are to
stand, the soil should be furrowed out
each way by making back furrow be-
tween each two rows. When har-
rowed. the land will slope each way
toward the trees. thus tending to col
lect drifting snow where it is most
needed
The same care in planting should be
taken that would be given in setting
years old, are better in most cases
than large trees, as they will bear
transplanting more readily, are easily
handled, and the cost is much less than
with the larger sizes. Trim off all
broken and bruised roots with sharp
knife and cut back the tops to corre-
spond Set the trees an inch or two
deeper than when in the nursery, and
firm the soil about the roots.
AS soon as planted, irrigate if water
is available. If not, give shallow
cultivation to check surface evapora-
tion from the soil.
Cultivation should he continued dur
ing the growing season, especially
after each rainfall This is particu-
larly necessary on the plains or where
water for irrigation cannot be sup
piled. Such cultivation is calculated to
keep a thin layer of fine, dry soil on
the surface, which acts as a mulch to
conserve moisture. Such care should
be continued during the first three to
five years, or until the trees shade the
ground between the rows. A mulch of
old straw at this time may be placed
between the rows. and will assist the
trees in keeping down grass and
weeds.
Pruning Is not desirable, unless 1t
be so done as to cause thicker
growth. Thus in the case of the will
low. many smaller stems may be Sc
cured by cutting out the main trunk
foot or so above the ground when four
or five years old. In this way single
or, better still, a double row of will
lows, closely planted, may be used as
a hedge, which will also serve as a