64 Forestry Quarterly. 



Although the species successful in Denmark in the fixation of 

 dunes might not succeed in America, the methods successful in 

 Denmark, after many and costly experiments, may prove of value 

 to the American foresters when they shall be called upon to attack 

 the problem. 



Coast protection is closely connected with the fixation of sand 

 but I shall confine myself to a description of Danish methods of 

 fixation of sand dunes. 



The methods are modified in detail according to surrounding 

 vegetation which can be used to cover the sand to prevent shifting. 

 If heather grows in the vicinity, it is cut and spread on the sand 

 in the holes and low places. If there is an abrupt hill it becomes 

 necessary to level it in order that planting can be accomplished 

 and that sweeping winds around the corners may be avoided. 

 The heather is used to hold the sand until beach grass can be 

 sown and take root. Ordinarily the east slopes of the hillsides 

 are sown to this grass from above and downward in parallel rows 

 running at right angles to the prevailing west wind. The east 

 hillside is covered in this way only as far up as the point where 

 the slope does not exceed 30° to 35°. The wind gradually cuts 

 off the summit of the hill or that portion of it with more than a 

 30° to 35° slope and sifts the sand over the grassy east aspect, 

 where the grass, in response to its tendencies, grows sufficiently 

 fast to keep above the accretions of sand. 



After the steep summit has blown away there remains in its 

 place a 30° to 35° slope which is sown to beach grass, as were the 

 lower slopes previously. Cut heather can be used in place of 

 beach grass but has to be renewed as it becomes covered. Smooth 

 hills and plains are generally covered with cut heather and not 

 sown to grass if there is plenty of heather at hand. 



Heather not only serves to fix the sand but arrests seeds of 

 many different plants which germinate and grow, forming a 

 permanent cover. If this cover becomes dense enough, the sand 

 is held in place ; however, heather is preferred since it is strongest. 



More often the beach grass is planted instead of its seed being 

 sown. The plants are removed by a spade which cuts the rhizome 

 at a depth sufficient to permit new growth to start from it. Three 

 or four pieces are planted in holes 8 to 10 inches deep made with a 

 special spade. The distance between the holes is 6 to 9 inches, 

 and the rows are 12 inches apart. 



