PRAIRIE PLANTING. 43 



planted in locations where their roots reach the permanent 

 water level their period of life may be considerably length- 

 ened and they may then even be regarded as long-lived trees. 

 In starting a grove or windbreak on the prairie in this 

 section, there is probably no better tree to begin with than 



mm 



Figure 3. A young White Willow windbreak on dry prairie at 

 Coteaux Farm. Grown entirely by mulching after being well started. 



the White Willow. It is quick growing, rather long lived in 

 most situations, makes good summer fuel and renews itself 

 very readily from the stump. The Green Ash would probably 

 rank next as a pioneer tree. The White Elm is also very 

 valuable for this purpose, but generally should follow the 

 White Willow. The Cottonwood may sometimes, though verv 

 seldom, be the best to use, but on average prairie land it 

 would be better if the White Willow or Green Ash were 

 always planted instead. 



After a good windbreak has been secured it is safe to 

 plant out the hardy coniferous evergreens and such trees as 

 the Mountain Ash, European White Birch and other similar 

 ornamental trees. Wind protection is beneficial to all trees 

 and necessary for many of our best ornamental kinds and 

 often makes the difference between success and failure in 

 growing them. 



Distance Apart. In the planting of groves we should aim to 

 get the land shaded by the trees as soon as practicable and to 

 keep it covered with a canopy of leaves. The United States 

 government recommended the planting of trees four feet apart 



