450 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



try it has not been used enough to be considered. Because of the crooked 

 growth it is not desirable for lumber or posts, but might be utilized for a 

 quick fuel. 



Planting: In planting the Scotch pine for windbreaks place the trees 

 about 10 feet apart in the rows and give them an abundance of light 

 from the side in order to permit the development of side branches. If 

 used for shelterbelts, the rows of Scotch pine might be supplemented 

 with several rows of Norway or Black Hills spruce. This would very 

 materially increase the efficiency of the windbreak, since the spruces 

 have denser foliage than the pine. The tree is of practically no value 

 for commercial plantations. 



As is true with the evergreen windbreaks, the Scotch pine has been 

 used as commonly as most any other evergreen for lawn planting. 

 Small trees of this species make a very pleasing appearance on the lawn 

 and many prize the older trees for their pronounced bright yellowish- 

 red bark. The thinness of the foliage prevents the shading out of grass 

 on the lawns. 



EUROPEiA^' LARCH — (Larix eui'opea.) 



The Tree: The European larch, which closely resembles the Ameri- 

 can larch or tamarack, is a native of Europe. It is one of the ever- 

 green class which is not evergreen — that is, it sheds its leaves an- 

 nually the same as the common broadleaf trees. The fact that the 

 trees are deciduous restricts their use for windbreak purposes, since 

 they give no more winter protection than the broadleaf trees. Unlike 

 a number of the evergreens planted in Iowa, the European larch re- 

 quires a favorable soil situation for good growth. The soil should be 

 light, deep, moderately fertile and well drained. The trees will with- 

 stand very little shading and it is classed as one of the trees most in- 

 tolerant in this regard. The larch is a fast grower. In central Iowa, 

 plantations 35 to 40 years old average about 10 inches in diameter and 

 50 to 70 feet in height. The plantations are characterized by the 

 straightness of the trees and the slight taper of the stems. Trees which 

 once become overtopped, become badly suppressed and soon die. 



The Wood: The wood of this larch is hard, strong, flexible and 

 quite durable in contact with the soil. The tree is especially valuable 

 for poles and fence posts. The straightness of the timber increases its 

 value for these purposes. The wood is also serviceable for cross ties. 



Planting: This tree is one of the first to bud in the spring. On this 

 account it is important to plant the trees as soon as possible after the 

 ground can be worked. 



Altho the larch is seldom used for strictly windbreak purposes, plant- 

 ings of this species are often combined in a shelterbelt and woodlot. 

 When planted in pure stand the trees should be placed about 6 feet, 

 apart in the rows and the rows 7 to 8 feet apart. A relatively close 

 spacing is necessary in order to shade out the grass and weeds. On 

 good soil situations pure plantations can be grown to pole size without 

 underplanting with a shade enduring tree. Plantations in central Iowa, 



