Tree Phuitimj in Nebraska 47 



D. B. H. of the trees in Sub-lot 9 is 72 per cent and the average 

 diameter 1.5 feet from the ground is 70 per cent of the respect- 

 ive average diameters of the trees in Sub-lot 7. These figures 

 would appear to show an advantage in favor of 6x6 foot spacing 

 for Honey Locust. 



The Osage Orange in Sub-lot 8 with 6x6 foot spacing show 

 an average height growth which is 92 per cent of the height 

 growth of the trees in Sub-lot 10 with 4x4 foot spacing. The 

 diameter growth is approximately the same in either sace. The 

 presence of many forks and the prevalence of branches woul 1 

 not lend much encouragement for the recommendation of Osage 

 Orange plantations for the production of fence posts. 



The absence of trees in western Nebraska is one of the 

 noticeable features of the landscape. Many causes have con- 

 tributed to the lack of tree growth, the principal ones being the 

 lack of moisture, excessive evaporation, damage from fire and 

 grazing and the neglect of the trees when first planted. Under 

 the "Tree Culture Act" much of the land was acquired after a 

 certain portion of the area had been planted to trees. The re- 

 sults of these plantings were generally very unsatisfactory. Manv 

 of the applicants could never have secured title if the examiners 

 had not been lenient. The trees planted were usually inferior 

 in size and quality and little or no attention was given to methods 

 of planting. Consequently there was very slow growth and 

 after a few years the trees became diseased and death followed. 

 In other cases they were cut for fuel or fence posts before they 

 had reached the size when they could be profitably utilized. The 

 farmers either could see no value in growing trees or needed 

 the material during the dry seasons which occurred in the early 

 nineties. 



The first settlers found but ?. small amount of native tim- 

 ber and that only along the stream courses. Those who settled 

 on the tableland were obliged to haul the material needed for 

 buildings, fuel and fence posts for long distances, sometimes as 

 far as 75 miles. This was especially true in the case of Red 

 Cedar found along the Dismal River and which was used by 

 the settlers far to the south. The Western Yellow Pine found 

 along the Pine Ridge was often hauled 125 miles to the south !:o 

 furnish the settlers with building material. The building of the 

 Union Pacific Railroad caused an increased demand for timber 

 for ties and fuel for the locomotives. In all of these wavs the 



