Areas Suitable for Trees 9 



the Eastern mist belt, are admirably suited for many types of 

 tree's ' In such aspects and positions the Natural "bush" 

 flourishes. There we find the best results with all trees, and the 

 range of varieties which it is possible to grow successfully is 

 very large indeed. 



1 nfortunately such' conditions do not exist in the Transvaal or 

 Oranse Free State, nor even in some districts of Natal, East 

 Griqualand. and Tondoland. Humidity decreases as Continental 

 conditions are reached. Winter mists are unknown. The rain- 

 fall may be as low as 10 or 15 inches per annum. The range of 

 varieties which will grow fairly successfully may become very 

 limited, until only some kinds of Gums, Casuarinas, Callitris, 

 Cypresses, and Pepper trees are available. Within such areas a 

 careful study must be made to find out what varieties are suit- 

 able and likely to be successful. The one most likely to under- 

 stand this point is your Forest Officer, whose business it is to 

 accumulate and disseminate information on just such points as 

 these. He will be glad to be of any service to enquirers. We, 

 in this booklet, may be able to indicate generally what types are 

 suitable for dry or moist climates, cold or warm districts; but 

 the man on the spot who has made a special study of his district 

 should be utilised wherever possible. 



Where there is a choice of aspect, choose one facing South, or 

 South-East. Where there is a choice of soils, choose the deep 

 red slopes which are the result of decomposition of the igneous 

 locks. A fairly steep slope need not be feared, so long as a hill- 

 side plough will work.* It is a great economic blunder to plant 

 trees, in forest form, on lands which will grow good crops ol 

 Maize or other farm crops, for no timber proposition is likely to 

 make as good a return as Maize, or Oats, or Wheat. The place 

 for timber (except in the case of shelter belts) is in the hills. 

 The trees do the best there, and such land can be best spared 

 for this purpose. 



It is not necessary to look for rich soil for trees. The im- 

 portant points are depth, texture, flood drainage, and aspect. A 

 good humus surface such as is left by the inturning of the veld- 

 sod, will doubtless be of great assistance to the young trees dur- 

 ing the first few months, but after that critical period the essen- 

 tials are just those mentioned above depth, aspect, good drain- 

 age, and texture of soil and subsoil. 



Before deciding upon the planting of any particular area you 

 .must satisfy yourself about the nature of the subsoil. Under 

 some of the most enticing areas there exist broad beds of 

 "Ooklip'' or Ironstone, or broad slabs of sandstone perhaps. 

 .This is not tree-land. A wise plan is to sink a few pits about 

 four feet deep, at interval of a hundred yards or so, and examine 

 the subsoil in these. If at such a depth the soil persists, or even 



"Ridging along the contour is often done where the hillside plough will not 

 )r!<. S :ch land should be left very rough, and worked "a strips only, to prevent 

 shaways. 



