Root Development as a Factor in the Success or Failure of Windbreak Trees in the Southern High Plains

The early settlers who came to the southern and central high plains from the more humid regions where shelterbelts could be established by merely planting the trees and waiting for them to grow followed these same practices in this treeless region, but without success. They soon learned that trees could neither be established nor maintained as easily in these treeless plains as at home. As a result, the idea that trees could not be grown in this region became widely accepted. For this reason only a few trees have been planted in recent years. In order to obtain better survival and growth, a few farmers have tried various cultural methods, such as clean cultivation. Some farmers even have used dynamite to break the calcareous layers underlying the surface. In spite of these practices, which are doubtless of some value, most of tbe trees do not withstand the severe drouth conditions existing in this region. Fortunately, some of the species that were planted in these original shelterbelts have survived even the severe drouth period of 1930-1937. From these survivors much can be learned.