Shelterbelts: The Advantages of Porous Soils for Trees

This article treats of the moisture supply available for trees planted in the plains region, with particular reference to the effect of soil quality and porosity upon the storage and availability of whatever precipitation may be received. It attempts to explain by moisture accumulationrecords obtained in Oklahoma, and other data, the natural tree or shrub growth which frequently is found on sandy soils, in contrast to the "short-grass" characteristic of the finer soils under the same climatic conditions and the much greater difficulties which they present to the tree planter.It closes with a brief description of special moisture—conserving measures which may be necessary for reasonable tree success on the "hard" lands.