ORE-75214 
Figure 2.—Normal topography of a foredune restored by planting a blowout 
to trees and shrubs that will wind form. 
Permanent stabilization with trees suggests a forest cover. Trees 
having commercial value for lumber or pulpwood can be grown, but 
the site index on coastal dunes is usually extremely low. Therefore, 
the principal objective of extensive plantings is permanent erosion 
control. This may be supplemented with secondary value associated 
with recreational use of the area and protection of harbors, highways, 
industrial sites, and residences. 
Topographical correction helps in permanently stabilizing many 
dune areas. The normal topography of a naturally stabilized coastal 
dune area is often greatly altered after the vegetation is destroyed 
and excessive erosion occurs. For example, a normal foredune near 
the high tide line has smooth, even surfaces. After vegetation is de- 
stroyed, wind erosion causes large blowouts and may remove entire 
sections of this foredune and deposit the sand irregularly on once 
smooth inland areas. These irregular surfaces are then subject to 
further destruction by the wind. Shrubs, in combination with trees, 
can be used to create a more normal surface topography (fig. 2). 
Protection against indiscriminate use is necessary where many 
people frequent coastal areas for recreation. Experience has shown 
that areas permanently stabilized with grass only are used indiscrim- 
inately for roads, trails, and bridle paths, even when permanent 
installations are provided for such traffic. The planting of shrubs 
and trees here can prevent this kind of trespass (fig. 3). 
Dune areas stabilized with grass only make quick conversion to 
cultivated crops easy when markets are attractive. Bulbs, flowers, 
and vegetables are often grown here. Such enterprises may be tem- 
porarily profitable with proper attention to erosion-control practices 
and intensive culture. The erosion hazard, however, is high, and 
plants with poor erosion-control value invade the area when it is 
abandoned. Areas planted to shrubs and trees are seldom converted 
to temporary cultivation. 
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