SHELTER ON FARMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 11 June 1925, Page 8

SHELTER ON FARMS

PLANTING OF TREES HEDGES AND PLANTATIONS MOST SUITABLE VARIETIES An address on hedges and shelter trees "'as delivered at Ruakura. Farm Seller-! by Mr T. Roach, Horticulturist at the farm, says the New Zealand Herald The importance of proper shelter and shade could not. b P over-estimated he said. The ultimate object of troepluntiug was to provide- the verv best shelter "for stock, but when selecting suitable trees for shelter Hie farmer should not- overlook value for timber, poets and rails. His object was to endeavour to give information that would assist farmers in making this selection, and also in designing the lay-out. of their shelter belts and hedges, ft. was useless to plant a tree in an unsuitable ground, and. again, it was folly to> plant a tree for shelter only when one which would give both shelter and timber could lu> selected.

In planting for lb,, purpose of producing shelter the trees should be sale guarded with posts and wire against livestock. The fence should he at such a distance from the trees that the latter could not he interfered with. Where a large area nr long stretell was to be planted the land should he ploughed in ill,-, autumn and followed by the necessary horse cultivation. Where the land was dry. planting could be done any time during the winter, but where oilier conditions prevailed it was West lefttill the spring. As few trees prospered in wet ground, such would have to receive the attention of draining. The holes made for the trees should be of sufficient- size noi to- cramp 1 lie roots. A. few spadesful of loose soil should be placed about the roots and made thoroughly firm, finally filling up and trampling meanwhile. If animal manure was available it could be spread over the ground befor 0 ploughing, or a spadeful or two could be placed in Hie holes at planting- If artificial manure was used, blood and bnnedust would be found excellent. The after-cultivation would consist of hoeing from time to time.

AVOIDANCE OF TRIMMING The cost likely to be entailed in keeping a hedge in repair should receive consideration. Plants lik c Cupressus lawson ian a and Cupressus torulosa required little or no trimming when intended for stock shelter. With few exceptions trimming was best done during t!i e , winter. During the first year or so- if should be more for the purpose of oncouiaging dense bottom growth. Certain sorts of trees were best trimmed in the spring The Pittosponene, for instance, if cut. back in winter, would immediately force cut young shoots, and these would be damaged bv frosts. ’Where mixed ornamental and shelter trees were planted in large breaks suitable nurse trees should also be planted. Nurse trees protected the slowed growing and more permanent trees keen strong winds, drew them up straighten, and encouraged more rapid growth. Pious muricata. and Radiata were suitable. The former did not crowd out- and rob other trees as Pinus insignis would do l . The Insignis pine succeeded well on poor land. The lecturer gave the following list- of trees; — (1) Berberris (Barberry).—lf planted in single line, set out the plants 12in. apart ; if in a double line, lSiti- apart in the rows and 15in. between the rows. This plant trims well and can bo converted into a stock-proof hedge. (2) Eleagnus, Barberry and Broadleafed Privet (field hedges).—Plant in double lines 18in. apart and 18in. between the plants. Plants of Barberry can be set out every fifth plant on the stock side, while Brood-leafed Privet can be set- out every fifth plant, planting them alternately. Barberry will assist- m keeping stock from eating Hie eleagnus, while privet will stiffen up the. eleagnus and prevent it from blowing over. (3) Cupressus Lawsoniana. —One - of the hardiest trees for planting. If set out 4ft. apart willTnake a beautiful and ornamental shelter. Can, if necessary, be trimmed to very narrow limits.

(4) Trees suitable for a high, single row hedge.—Evergreen Oak, sft. apart; Cupressus lawsoniana, 4ft. apart; Cup-i-cssns bentliamii, 6ft. apart; Cupressus knightiana, bft. apart; Cupressus lawsoniana and poplar produce both shelter and shade (planting the poplars sft. back) and Oregon pine and poplar provide timber and shade.

SHELTER. BELTS AND TIMBER (5) Mixed ornamental and shelter belts, planted three or four rows deep. —Evergreen : Cupressus lawsoniana, Cupressus benthamii, Cupressus levulosa, Californian redwood, Californian mammoth tree, Oregon white cedar, evergreen oak, Pinus strijbis. Deciduous; 1 White birch, English oak, English walnut, Japanese walnut. (6) Trees suitable for planting in corners for posts. —Eucalyptus ma earthin'! : Does well in the Waikato ; docs well over a wide range of conditions; transplants readily. Eucalyptus fastigata ; Docs well in Waikato and in other parts of New Zealand where the winter can be classed as moderately cold. Pilularis (Black butt); Grows well in Waikato; does best in the warmer parts of New Zealand. Eucalypti!? vimivalis: Does well in Waikato, mil does not do well in warmer districts; suitable for electric transmission poles and like purposes; transplants well.

(7). Trees suitable for planting

block? for timber. —Oregon pine, Pinus radiata (Insignis), -Sequoia senipcrvieries (C. R. Weodl. Eucalyptus factignta, Euca I y plus pilularis.