TREE-SHELTER FOR COASTAL DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXIV, Issue 1, 20 January 1922, Page 32

TREE-SHELTER FOR COASTAL DISTRICTS.

The species of trees best suited for growing on the sea-front and in New Zealand coastal districts generally are as follows : — Pinus pinaster (maritime pine) is ■ the most suitable for the . front row next the sea. It withstands saline winds and will grow in pure sand. Pinus muricata, Pinus thunbergii, and Pinus densiflora come next in order of merit. They are actually better shelter-trees than the maritime pine, but are slightly more susceptible to saline winds than that species. All three grow well in sand. ■ ■

Pinus radiata (insignis) and Cupressus macrocarpa suffer to a very considerable extent if subjected to strong saline winds. They are, however, of greater economic importance than any of the species previously mentioned. Both grow fairly well in sand, provided it has some organic matter mixed with it.' Shelter in coastal districts can be most effectively secured by planting the trees in wide belts—say, one chain wide. A single row of trees or even a narrow belt is of very doubtful value, especially on the west coast, where strong saline winds are prevalent. The first rows on the windward side should be composed of Pinus pinaster ; behind these a few rows of Pinus muricata, or the other species grouped with it, should be planted. With the shelter afforded by these trees Pinus radiata or Cupressus macrocarpa may be successfully grown. A spacingdistance of 4 ft. by 4 ft. should be adopted for the first shelter-lines, 6 ft. by 6 ft. for Pinus radiata, and 4 ft. by 4 ft. for Cupressus macrocarpa. ■ State Forest Service.