The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-08-06
Wind Breaks and Hedges
for North Dakota Growth

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planting can be obtained through the
/ reading nurseries.
Inc box-elder possesses many of the
requisites of a typical windbreak tree
growing rapidly while young forming a
uehse, heavy growth, and thriving in
any climate. Its defects are that It
never gets tall enough and does not
I'VE long enough. 1t can be used for
the nrst few years with elm and ash,
cutting 1t out as 1t crowds the other
trees.
In the eastern part Of the state we
nave found the soft or silver maple to
Do among the best of windbreak trees.
IL makes rapid, heavy growth and the
lower branches keep vigorous and
healthy. 1t is not found to be satisfac-
tory everywhere, but in locations hav-
ing reasonable amount of soil mois-
ture 1t grows we'll. In favorable sur
roundings it atJains to great age and
size.
In poor dry soils or on alkali soil,
the oleaster, commonly known as the
Russian wild olive, is about the most
successful tree. 1t never attains a large
size and the top is short lived though
1t will grow again from the roots when
the old tops are cut down. Its thorny
character makes it a good protection
against stock. It should not be ex-
tensively planted where larger and
better trees will grow, but in difficult
locations 1t Is very valuable tree for
windbreaks.
The native or green ash is ordinarily
looked upon as grove or timber tree,
but it has many qualities fitting it for
a place in the shelter belt. II is of fair
size, makes a dense. heavy top, and
Will grow on almost any kind of soil.
It's growth under average conditions is
about one and one-half feet per year.
1t does not make a dense growth close
to the ground, as do the willow and
oleaster.
The white or American elm is pre-
eminently shade tree but some of our
best windbreaks owe their good quail
ties largely to this tree. 1t gives per-
manence, stability, and height, as wen
as character and beauty to the wind
break.
Plate No. 2 is view of a windbreak
eighteen years old and twenty seven
feet high, the south row being elm. The
elm grew slowly at first, but now is
making a yearly growth of about three
feet. 1t requires a good, moist soil to
make rapid growth.
The common gray or white willow,
which has been So largely planted in
the west during the last fifty years, is
perhaps the best single deciduous tree
for the shelter belt. It makes a dense
growth and attains a height of from
forty to fifty feet in twenty years. It
does well upon all except very dry
soils, or soils containing alkali 1t is
easily and cheaply started from cut
tings and never needs replanting, as
1t starts readily from the stumps. IL
several rows Of willow are planted at
distance of eight feet apart. they
will furnish a liberal supply of posts
and fuel for an indefinite period. The
young trees are subject to attack by
caterpillars and the larvae of a saw
fly, but these may be killed by spraying
with Paris green. The white willow is
a native of the old world, where It
ranges over large parts of Europe and
Asia and even into northern Africa.
Like most species having a wide range.
1t has a number of forms varying more
or less from each other in external APP
pearance, rate Of growth and hardness.
One of the most striking OF these diff
ferent forms is cultivated under the
name of golden Russian willow. The
bark, especially in winter is a deep
red gold in color. The tree is more
bushy than the ordinary type of the
white willow and grows somewhat fast
er. 1t will not stand extremes of tenn
perature so well and is apt to be killed
back by warm spells in winter from the
loss of moisture through its rather thin
bark. In spite of these drawbacks, 1t
gives general satisfaction and is very
largely planted, especially where a mar
row windbreak of only one or two rows
is required. 1t branches close to the
ground and for that reason it may be
along with ash and elm.
There are a number of the smaller
trees or large shrubs, like the choke
cherry wild plum, and wild thorn, that
may be used along the outside of Il
windbreak to insure a dense growth
close to the ground.
The mos. perfect windbreaks are
naturally made by the planting of ever.
greens, but owing TO their slower
growth and the difficulty in getting
them started, they have not thus far
been very generally planted.
Cut No. shows a very fine shelter
belt of Norway spruce growing at the
agricultural college. The trees are now
twenty-five feet in height and about
twenty-five years old. They are en-
tirely hardy and need only protection
from the sun while young make them
safe tree TO plant. They should be.