ORE-75211 
Figure 8.—Scotch broom and shore pine planted in sand-stilling grasses pre- 
pare eroded dune sites for climax woody plants. 
stilling but function in two essential ways to make the site suitable 
for the trees that will serve as the final and permanent vegetation. 
Shrubs give additional protection to the growing trees against 
persistent desiccating winds because they are taller than the sand- 
stilling grasses, and they improve the fertility of the soil, which 
benefits survival and growth of the trees. 
The final step is the planting of long-lived trees into the shrub 
plantings. Figure 8 illustrates the three steps—the sand-stilling 
grasses, the intermediate shrubs, and the trees. 
Auxiliary plantings of woody shrubs and vines are often made in 
dune-control work. They provide additional ground cover, and many 
of them produce edible fruit and food for wildlife. 
Shrubs for Intermediate Stabilization 
Shrubs used for intermediate stabilization must establish quickly, 
grow rapidly, withstand strong desiccating winds, and be intolerant 
of shade. Leguminous shrubs are preferred because the trials con- 
ducted on the Pacific coast showed that the nitrogen they provide 
from their leaves and nodules assists in the establishment of the 
permanent trees. 
A total of 75 species of native, naturalized, and exotic shrubs were 
tested for suitability as intermediate stabilizers on the coastal dunes 
of Oregon. Three species met the requirements for this use. 
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