The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1927-03-03

lne trees WHICH are TO De us
tributed by the forestry depart
ment of the state college this year
for transplanting are especially
selected for the use of farmers in
establishing windbreaks and wood
lots.
The movement to encourage tree
planting on farms was augmented
by the Clark McNary Forest law,
which was passed by the Federal
congress in 1924. Under the pro-
visions of Section A of this law,
the forestry department of the
state college is cooperating with
the Federal government in pro-
ducing trees particularly for farm
planting.
Last year the forest nursery
was moved to a new site, and adj
ditional area was made available
for growing both coniferous and
hardwood trees, which, by test in
these particular regions have prov
ed to be fast-growing and capable
of outstanding unfavorable grow
ing conditions in general. As re-
suit of these characteristics, the
use of these trees for planting in
parts of eastern and central Wash
ington where the annual rainfall
is very low and growing condi-
lions in general are very rigorous,
will still be successful.
One tree especially, the Black
Locust, has shown itself to be
most admirably adapted for plant
ing almost anywhere in Washing
ton, below 1000 feet elevation.
(Above this elevation it is severely
damaged by frost). Not only is It
drought desistant and a rapid
grower, but the wood is extremely
valuable. Black locust telephone
poles that are known to have been
In use for 80 years without treat
ment have solid butts now which
give promise of many more years
of faithful service. Black locust
for the manufacture of telephone
line insulator pins and wooden
novelties brings fancy prices. But
what should be of most interest to
farmers. is the value of the tree
as rapid fence-post grower. This
tree is recommended practically
without exception, for woodlot
planting.
For windbreaks and shelterbelt
planting, there are several trees
which may be chosen from. ac-
cording to the relative annual
rainfall of the locality.
Ordinary cottonwood is of very
fast growth. and while the wood
is not as valuable as that of most
other hardwoods, it is one of the
best trees to use for getting
windbreak established in a hurry.
1t should produce, under average
soil and growing conditions, one
cord per acre per year. Treated
cottonwood fence-posts are extern
sively used in the middle west
and could as well be used here,
tho it is probable that cedar or
the locust just mentioned would
be cheaper in the end.
Another rapid growing tree
which is widely used, and very
often selected on it's own merits,
is the silver maple. The silver
maple is an excellent windbreak
tree. having bushy and heavy
foliaged crown. It grows rapidly
though not quite as fast as the
locust and cottonwood, and it pre-
fers moist situations to dry ones.
However, if properly cultivated
and dry mulched it will grow in
rather dry soil. The silver maple
should not be used alone in wind
breaks. but should be planted in
alternate rows with an evergreen.
such as Norway Spruce or White
Pine. If used alone, the crown is
rather high. and the limbs do. not
extend all the way to the ground.
This allows the wind to sweep thru
under the tree tops, and very fire.
quently, the trees are damaged by
the wind.
If confer such as the spruce
is planted even on the windward
side of the maple, it's foliage ex-
tends for the length of the trunk,
and the surface of the windbreak
exposed to the wind will then have
a tendency to shunt the air cur