TREES AND SHRUBS ON THE FARM 11 



one hundred feet, or even wider, depending upon the force of the 

 winds. 



In most sections of Montana east of the divide, the troublesome 

 winds are largely from the north and west. This means that the 

 home grounds must be protected at least on these two sides. The 

 windbreak should be far enough from the buildings so the snow 

 which collects inside will not be annoying. With a properly con- 

 structed break one hundred feet is probably a safe distance. The 

 planting should be so arranged that the snow will collect among 

 the trees as much as possible. To encourage this the smaller trees 

 and shrubs should be planted to the windward and the others 

 arranged in order of height with the taller ones inside. A desirable 

 windbreak is made up of one row of Siberian pea tree on the north 

 and west, one row of box elder next, then two rows of box elder 

 and green ash mixed, and on the inside two rows of poplar or cot- 

 tonwood. The drifting snows should pile up within this grove and 

 greatly increase the moisture supply. 



For making a windbreak the most promising trees are the Cana- 

 dian poplar, native cottonwood, box elder, golden Russian willow, 

 green ash, white elm, and Siberian pea tree. The Canadian poplar 

 (Populus balsamifera) is one of the hardiest of the poplars. It is 

 a rapid grower and lasts well. The common, narrow-leafed cotton- 

 wood found growing along the streams in the eastern part of the 

 State may be used for the windbreak or the yard. It is probably 

 not so rapid a grower as the Canadian poplar and does not last as 

 well. It should not be used when the poplar can be secured. The 

 box elder is also a native of the State and will thrive under most 

 conditions. It is a tree of rather straggling habit, grows rapidly, 

 and thrives well in the windbreak as a tree of intermediate growth. 

 The golden Russian willow will succeed on good soil with a little 

 more than the average rainfall. It makes a rapid, dense growth, 

 may be trimmed low, and where the conditions are favorable it is 

 an excellent tree for either the outside or the second row in the 

 windbreak. The green ash is found growing along the streams of 

 eastern Montana. With good care it may be induced to grow on 

 the dry farm, especially when planted in groves. It is not so rapid 

 a grower as the other trees mentioned, but it is a more permanent 

 tree. For this reason it is well to alternate this tree in rows with 



