North Dakota State University * Dickinson Research Extension Center
1089 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601-4642 Voice: (701) 483-2348 FAX:
(701) 483-2005
SHELTERBELT RENOVATION EVALUATION PROJECT
Jerry Larson, Stark/Billings County Extension
Service, Dickinson ND
James Nelson, Animal Scientist, Dickinson
Research Extension Center, Dickinson ND
Bonnie Twogood and George Stull, Central Stark and Western Soil Conservation District
SUMMARY:
The past years of drought, additional environmental stresses and other factors have
caused deterioration of the health of area shelterbelts. In response to this increased
concern, a shelterbelt renovation alternatives project was established in 1994 at the
Dickinson Research/Extension Center.
The initial project was a collaboration with the Central Stark and Western SCDs, the
Stark-Billings County Extension Office, the Dickinson Research/ Extension Center, NDSU
Department of Plant Sciences, the Dickinson Parks & Recreation District, the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, the Master Forestry Volunteers and local individuals.
Funding of this project was obtained through a $1,000 matching grant through the North
Dakota Forest Service Windbreak Renovation Grant funds.
INTRODUCTION:
Due to the declining vigor of numerous area shelter belts, producers are asking for
assistance on methods of renovating existing shelter belts. Two major project objectives
were identified: 1) to evaluate renovation alternatives; and 2) to evaluate responses of
different tree species in a renovation setting.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
In the initial year of this project, the renovation site was prepared. This included the
removal of dead trees by local volunteers and Dickinson Research/Extension Center staff
members. Trees were cut down with a chain saw and removed. Roundup herbicide was applied
to burn down perennial grasses and other weeds at the site.
Tillage of the site consisted of the use of a disk and rototilling. This was done prior to
planting in the spring of 1995.
Trees were planted on June 8, 1995, using the local SCD's tree planter. A portion of
the trees were planted directly into an untilled site to compare perfor-mance in till vs.
no-till planting situations. Weed barrier was used in the entire planting. Tree survival
was evaluated in the fall of 1995 and the spring of 1996. Dead trees were removed and
replanted by hand. Replacement trees were provided by the Western and Central Stark SCDs.
Tree species included in the evaluation project are: Nannyberry, American Cranberrybush,
Juneberry, Ohio Buckeye, Black Walnut, Douglas Fir, Siberian Larch, Colorado Blue Spruce,
Ponderosa Pine, Eastern Red Cedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper. A total of 1,800 feet of
trees were planted.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Survival of trees was evaluated on August 30, 1995. The highest survival rate of fruiting
shrubs was the American Cranberrybush at 95 percent; followed by Juneberry at 87 percent;
and Nannyberry at 67 percent. The low survival rate of Nannyberry may indicate that it may
require special handling at planting or may be sensitive to the weed barrier fabric.
Both the Black Walnut and Ohio Buckeye were grown in tree shelters. The Black Walnut had
the highest survival rate of 88 percent. The survival of the Ohio Buckeye was at 50
percent. It was also observed that we had leaf scorch on both species due to the hot
conditions in the tree shelters.
A total of four conifer species were evaluated in this renovation project. Colorado Spruce
and Ponderosa Pine had the highest survival rate at 88 percent and 78 percent
respectively.
The Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir was from a Denbigh, North Dakota, seed source, and had a 50
percent survival, and disappointingly, the Siberian Larch had a 0 percent survival. The
difference may be related to species handling at planting or the tolerance of Siberian
Larch to conditions produced by the weed barrier.
The shelterbelt renovation project was again evaluated in the spring of 1996. It was
observed that additional trees were lost over winter. It was especially noticeable that
there was more dieback on the Ponderosa Pine compared to the Colorado Blue Spruce. Other
tree species appeared to survive the winter quite well.
The following replants were made: Ponderosa Pine--13; Colorado Blue Spruce--5; Siberian
Larch--13; Douglas Fir--13; Ohio Buckeye--6; Black Walnut--7; Nannyberry--14; American
Cranberrybush--5; Juneberry--6; Rocky Mountain Juniper--9; and Eastern Red Cedar--14.
Evaluation of this renovation project will be conducted again in the spring of 1997. Dead
trees will again be replaced.
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