HEDGES AND SHELTER-TREES FOR HOMESTEAD AND FARM.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2, 21 February 1927, Page 91

HEDGES AND SHELTER-TREES FOR HOMESTEAD AND FARM.

W. C. Hyde,

Horticulturist, Horticulture Division

As agricultural practice is so largely built up on the traditions of the past it was natural for the early settlers of this country to surround their paddocks with a ditch, the spoil from which was neatly built into a sod wall alongside, and along the top of which a hedge was planted or sown. For that was the common custom in their Mother-land ; there a copious rainfall on heavy land demanded ample drainage, and whitethorn hedges carefully grown and plashed held the stock secure. On the small farms there, with their small fields and cheap labour, the method had long been successfully demonstrated, and. it had become an established custom. On the larger farms of this country, with its large paddocks and extended fence-lines and higher cost of labour, the trimmed hedge, plashed and stock-proof, has not kept pace with the extension of settlement. It has been replaced by the more immediate and effective fence of strained wire. This excellent fence, however, leaves the seed-bed of the field in crop exposed to prevailing winds, which frequently do serious damage, especially where the soil is light and friable ; also to mature crops. Stock, too, are exposed to stormy weather in winter and spring, when considerable loss is frequently incurred from this cause, as also after shearing. In hot weather, also, the welfare of the stock demands suitable shade during the heat of the day, and crops derive benefit from an atmosphere that is tempered by the proximity of hedge and shelter trees. SHELTER PLANTATIONS. To meet this demand of farm economy shelter-belts are required to break the force of the main prevailing winds, with hedges of a desirable habit planted at suitable angles. The hedges, however, should be reduced to a minimum extent to avoid the labour which even the most suitable plants sometimes require, and the remaining intersecting fences may be of wire only. The best examples of this method of dealing with the problem have given such results as have led to considerable inquiry on the subject. Shelter-belts on the farm are often unsatisfactory owing to quite inadequate planting. A row or two of Cupressus macrocarpa or Finns insignis is planted to which stock is soon admitted, with a result that the trunks and lower branches become bare ; and while affording a little useful shade in hot weather they are worse than useless as shelter in stormy weather, owing to the bleak draught created by the winds passing beneath the boughs. In other cases such trees as those above . mentioned are planted on heavy land and grow into large, coarse timber that quite overgrows the situation and purpose for which they were planted. The cost, importance, and permanence of shelter plantations is sufficiently great to warrant a long and careful study of the local conditions before plants are decided on, the latitude, altitude, climate,

and soil being carefully considered. In ■ open country and broad valleys the matter is sometimes best dealt with under some system of co-operation between adjoining settlers. In any case a thorough study should be made of mature trees growing on the class of land and under the climatic conditions to be dealt with. A half-grown plantation that has been well managed generally looks attractive, but the question often still remains as to how it is going to mature. . Present-day planters have a valuable heritage in the experience of early settlers who have done important ■ experimental work and demonstrated many successes and failures. An excellent summary of this work may be obtained free on application to the State Forest Service, together with methods of planting. It remains but to properly proportion the shelter plantations to the areas to be dealt with ; while about the homestead some effect and economy may be considered by

giving a little more variety to the planting and harmonizing it with the usual orchard of fruit-trees and nuts. Where a shade tree or group of trees are planted in a paddock it is as well to consider the advisability of planting chestnuts, stone-pines, or walnuts, which, besides affording the necessary shade, also give a useful return in nuts. The two former do well usually on hilly country, and the latter on alluvial ground. Whatever plantations are made it is essential that they should be permanently fenced off from stock, which, if admitted, will very soon destroy the bottom growth and render the plantation worse than useless for shelter purposes. ■ SHELTER TREES AND HEDGES. Transverse shelter-hedges planted at suitable intervalsthey need not be down every fence-linewill afford valuable supplementary shelter in most districts. Indeed, in the more sheltered localities and on the smaller sections the single-line shelter-hedge may provide all that is required in this way.

Lawson’s cypress (Cupressus Laxvsoniana) has grown into high favour as a permanent evergreen shelter-hedge on medium to good land with a fair rainfall. Planted about 3 ft. apart it matures into a dense shelter about 10 ft. to 12 ft. high, naturally thickly clothed at the base, and tapering to the top in a way. that demands no attention in the way of trimming after, it is once established. It is sometimes seen with a ditch on the one side and a wire fence on the other in excellent condition and entirely satisfactory. Its immunity from troublesome diseases is a feature. Lombardy poplar (Populus fastigatd) deserves its popularity on flat country inclined to be wet. Planted rather close it makes a narrow

•effective breakwind with a minimum of . attention. An occasional shortening of the tops is about all that is necessary. Its deciduous character is in some instances an advantage. The value of this sheltertree is generally improved if it is interplanted with a suitable evergreen shrub to ensure a close bottom growth. Barberry (Berbens vulgaris) is an evergreen shrub that is very popular among farmers as a stock-proof shelter-hedge. As it is •commonly grown from seed it is not surprising to find the great .number of different types that now exist. Many of these are of very poor habit, some being almost deciduous and others carrying heavy •crops of seed, which are carried by birds into hilly country, where they grow and add to the noxious-weed problem. On this account barberry is now included in the Third Schedule of' the Noxious Weeds Act — that is, the local body - can declare the plant a noxious weed. In

Taranaki barberry is now allowed only where it is regularly clipped to restrict fruit-bearing, and it is liable to be similarly declared in other districts. One of the most desirable varieties of this excellent hedge-plant is grown extensively in the Thames and Waikato districts. It has been fully described by Mr.W. H. Taylor in an article in the Journal for March, 1922. It very rarely ripens fruit, and when planted 12 in. to 15 in. apart in a single line it forms a very dense hedge 10 ft. to 12 ft. high. This habit necessitates propagation by means of cuttings. These should be made about 7 in. to 8 in. long, in winter, and planted in nursery rows to rootwhich they do very readily —before they are planted out in the fields during the following planting season. The cuttings must be planted firmly with only two buds above the surface and the land kept, free from weeds. . . ~ . , The hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha), which was held in such high esteem by early settlers and planted extensively, has fallen into disfavour. In the mild climate of New Zealand it is subject to a great

number of diseases, most of which also affect orchards and gardens. With this serious disability it is an undesirable hedge-plant compared with others that are available. Osage orange {Madura aurantiaca), the wood of America, where it is the popular hedge-plant in the middle States, is a small tree of something the same habit as hawthorn. It is a thorny deciduous tree with rather large pear-tree-like foliage, the pistillate (female) plants of which bear large orange-like fruits that give the tree its name. It is easily raised from seed, and planted close —about 6 in. apart-it makes a dense stock-proof hedge of a similar class to hawthorn. It is free from serious pests, and has proved to be hardy under some rather severe tests made in this country. An important precaution in raising this hedge is to prune the tops back each winter for the first two or three years in order to induce strong lateral branches about the base of the hedge. Boxthorn (Lyciwn hprridum) : This thorny evergreen from South Africa forms a hedge that is securely cattle-proof. It has been proved to effectively withstand the heavy salt-laden winds that prevail in

some coastal districts and are so destructive to trees in general. On well-drained soils this hedge is very thrifty. The large strong thorns with which it is armed, while effective in holding stock, set a heavy task for one who has to cut back a neglected hedge. Wounds from these thorns are often serious where they are neglected. Gorse (Ilex europ was extensively sown by the early settlers as a hedge-plant on dry, light land, and in exposed situations it quickly formed valuable shelter, and fodder, too, that was of great value in dry seasons. As a hedge, however, it is insecure, owing to numerous gaps that soon develop. Its tendency to become a serious weed pest is also a menace. In , addition to Lawson’s cypress reference should be made to macrocarpa {Cupressus macrocarpa'), also Cupressus torulosa. On a good alluvial land where macrocarpa is sometimes planted it develops into a very large rough shelter, covering a great deal of land, but bare

about the base, where shelter is most needed. Under such conditions it is generally unsuitable. On soils of fair quality Cupressus torulosa is a better tree for the purpose ; it is of more moderate height, and the side branches are shorter and more compact. Without any trimming it makes an excellent shelter-hedge. On lighter land the macrocarpa cypress often does well, and planted in an untrimmed row about 3 ft. apart along a fence-line it is often found satisfactory. But with all of these cypresses that form such excellent shelter under right conditions it is necessary that they be fenced off from the traffic of stock, which otherwise very soon destroy the lower branches. GARDEN HEDGES. For planting about the homestead there is often a demand for a hedge-plant that, while it is not required to be stock-proof, is needed for a shelter or screen. For this purpose it would be hard to find anything better than our own native evergreen shrubs. Taupata {Coprosma Baueri) is justly popular for the purpose. If the young plants are cut back for the first two or three years to cause

them to make strong side growth near the ground, this plant quickly forms an evergreen hedge of shining leaves that will stand the strongest sea-winds. Silver akeake, of the Chatham Islands (Olearia Traver sit), is also suitable for a hedge in exposed situations. It is a dark evergreen with a silver reverse to the leaves. Tarata (Pittosporum eugenioides) is an evergreen of a brighter shade with fragrant flowers, and is as good as the silver akeake for a hedge exposed to cold salt winds. Karo {Pittosporum crassifolium) makes a good evergreen hedge by the coast, but it is not quite so hardy as the preceding species. Kohuhu {Pittosporum tenuifolium) is very hardy, and makes an excellent hedge in almost any situation. Golden akeake (Olearia Forsteri) has been largely planted, its golden-green foliage with frilled margins being very familiar. Unfortunately, it is often seriously damaged by a native gall insect or attacked by scale insects and black fungus, and so is undesirable for hedge purposes. Elceagnus japonica is a vigorous evergreen shrub with russetgreen foliage. It has been largely used for underplanting pines and large tree shelter. Its vigorous spreading habit demands frequent trimming, and in the warmer districts it is subject to thrips and many insects that are troublesome in gardens. Escallonias of various sorts are often planted for hedges in gardens, and, with a satisfactory rainfall, they are very suitable. They are natives of South America. Common laurel (Cerasus laurocerasus) is a well-known evergreen from Asia Minor which makes a clean, handsome hedge when well kept. It does well even in shady situations. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinensis') is a hedge-plant that has long been popular. It also is valuable for underplanting forest-trees, in the shade of which it flourishes. GENERAL. The planting of hedges often fails owing to the lack of suitable preparation of the land and protection of the plants from stock. The land to be planted should be thoroughly cleaned of all weeds and growth, especially twitch. Unless this is done before planting it is almost impossible to maintain the necessary cultivation required for the first two or three years until the plants are thoroughly established. Neither will the plants while young and tender stand the treading and browsing of stock. A well-established shelter-hedge is an attractive and valuable asset to the garden or farm, and is well worth the trouble of the requisite preparation and care. Hedges frequently suffer from neglect and unseasonable trimming ; they are thereby often stunted and bare. Where they have been neglected, and it is necessary to cut back into the old wood, the operation should be performed at the beginning of spring in the case of evergreens, and rather earlier in the case of deciduous plants.