Trees Their Planting and Care 63 



TREES FOR SHELTER 



Scarcely a location can be selected where there is not 

 some point that needs protection or shelter from prevail- 

 ing winds or from storms, and generally only those trees 

 that are very hardy and provided with an abundance of 

 thick tough foliage should be used. They are more com- 

 monly planted on the north or west exposure, and should 

 be set as closely as possible and have them grow to a good 

 degree of perfection. About the average distance for 

 planting evergreens: For high screen or shelter, Norway 

 spruce 15 ft. high, 8 ft. apart; Siberian arborvitae 10 ft. high, 

 5 ft. apart. Distance for planting deciduous trees for high 

 screen or shelter: Honey locust 10 ft. high, 4 ft. apart, 8 ft. 

 high, 3 ft. apart. If immediate shelter is needed, close 

 planting may be advisable, but the surplus trees should be 

 removed as soon as they begin to interfere with the perfec- 

 tion of those desired for permanent growth. It is always 

 best to plant those that are the most desirable for per- 

 manent growth at the proper distance for full develop- 

 ment, and then arrange the more temporary kinds so 

 that they may be finally cut out. In this work, as in 

 all grouping of trees and shrubs, it is best to obtain as 

 much contrast and variety of form and color as possible, 

 and yet have a pleasant blending of all the characteristic 

 features. 



Evergreens are generally planted for purposes of shelter, 

 as they hold their foliage during the winter, though a mix- 

 ture of deciduous and evergreen trees will give the most 

 satisfactory picture in summer. The evergreens, especially 

 when massed, produce a sombre effect, which is lightened and 

 relieved by the introduction of some deciduous trees, like 

 the birches, golden willows, etc. Fig. 29 shows a very good 

 deciduous tree wind break, but should have branches lower, 



