45 



Norway or Black Hills spruce. This would very materially 

 increase the efficiency of the windbreak, since the spruces have 

 denser foliage than the pine. The tree is of pracically no 

 value for commercial plantations. 



As is true with the evergreen windbreaks, the Scotch pine 

 has been used as commonly as most any other evergreen for 

 lawn planting. Small trees of this species make a very pleas- 

 ing appearance on the lawn and many prize the older trees 

 for their pronounced bright yellowish-red bark. The thinness 

 of the foliage prevents the shading out of grass on the lawns. 



EUROPEAN LARCH (Larix europea) 



The Tree : The European larch, which closely resembles 

 the American larch or tamarack, is a native of Europe. It is 

 one of the evergreen class which is not evergreen that is, it 

 sheds its leaves annually the same as the common broadleaf 

 trees. The fact that the trees are deciduous restricts their use 

 for windbreak purposes, since they give no more winter pro- 

 tection than the broadleaf trees. Unlike a number of the ever- 

 greens planted in Iowa, the European larch requires a favor- 

 able soil situation for good growth. The soil should be light, 

 deep, moderately fertile and well drained. The trees will 

 withstand very little shading and it is classed as one of the 

 trees most intolerant in this regard. The larch is a fast grower. 

 In central Iowa, plantations 35 to 40 years old average about 

 10 inches in diameter and 50 to 70 feet in height. The planta- 

 tions are characterized by the straightness of the trees and the 

 slight taper of the stems. Trees which once become over- 

 topped, become badly suppressed and soon die. 



The Wood'. The woojl of this larch is hard, strong, flex- 

 ible and quite durable in contact with the soil. The tree is 

 especially valuable for poles and fence posts. The straight- 

 ness of the timber increases its value for these purposes. The 

 wood is also serviceable for cross ties. 



Planting'. This tree is one of the first to bud in the 

 spring. On this account it is important to plant the trees as 

 soon as possible after the ground can be worked. 



Altho the larch is seldom used for strictly windbreak pur- 

 poses, plantings of this species are often combined in a shelter- 

 belt and woodlot. When planted in pure stand the trees 

 should be placed about 6 feet apart in the rows and the rows 

 7 to 8 feet apart. A relatively close spacing is necessary in 

 order to shade out the grass and weeds. On good soil situations 

 pure plantations can be grown to pole size without under- 

 planting with a shade enduring tree. Plantations in central 

 Iowa, when 40 years old, will produce 200 poles averaging 9 

 inches in diameter at the bottom and 1000 posts per acre. 

 Aiter 25 to 30 years it is practically impossible to keep out 



