Objective:
The objective is to assemble and evaluate woody plant materials for conservation use. Superior cultivars will be selected and released for increase by commercial nurseries.

Cooperators:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, in cooperation with the North Dakota State University, Dickinson Branch Experiment Station, Dickinson, North Dakota.

Location: This project is located one mile west of Dickinson, North Dakota, on the NDSU Dickinson Branch Experiment Station. Legal description: NE1/4 sec. 5, T. 139 N., R. 96 W., Stark County, North Dakota.

This soil is in North Dakota windbreak suitability group 5. Included in this group are nearly level to hilly soils of the Flaxton, Lihen, Livonia, Parshall, and Vebar series among others. These are well-drained, loamy and sandy soils. They are suited to windbreak and other plantings, but selection of species is limited. Erosion hazard is serious. The moderate available water capacity is the main limitation.

Assembly:
Refer to the plot map for woody species currently planted at the site.

Planting Plan:
Plots are not randomized or replicated but systematically arranged for ease of evaluation and demonstration purposes. The planting site is approximately 500 feet long and 200 feet wide. The area is divided into five blocks. Each block consists of single row, non-replicated plots. Each plot contains a minimum of 5 plants. Row length is 100 feet and spacing between rows is 20 feet. Block 1A contains primarily poplar accessions. Block 1B contains conifers. Block 2 contains shrubs and small trees. Block 3 contains medium sized trees. Block 4 contains tall trees. Refer to the plot map. All trees are spaced ten feet within row and shrubs are spaced five feet within row. All rows run from west to east. Like species and standards of comparison are established in adjacent plots whenever possible.

Plot Preparation:
A clean, firm planting site is prepared annually by disking and harrowing.

Planting Method:
All trees and shrubs were hand planted using approved forestry methods.

Fertilization:
No fertilizer has been applied to planting area.

Weed Control:
No herbicide has been applied to any plot during year of establishment or in succeeding years. Weeds were controlled by clean cultivating between rows, within row, and in fallow areas. Four to six tillage operations were performed each year in the months of May through August. A minimum of hand hoeing was done to control weeds in rows. Recently, a Weed Badger has been used around the trees.

Pest Control:
Previous years: No animal repellent or insecticide was applied in 1978. In the fall 1979, an animal repellent, Arasan 50, was sprayed on fruit trees to discourage rodent damage.

1980 - 1981: On November 6, 1980, and October 29, 1981, Arasan 50 was applied to the trunks and lower limbs of fruit trees to deter rodents from damaging bark and cambium. Conifers also received this spray treatment to discourage animal browse. No insecticides were applied.

1982 - 1998: No animal repellents or insecticides have been applied.

Irrigation:
Each year, newly planted materials were watered with a portable tank. No water was added following year of establishment. During the drought years of 1988-1991 the trees were watered in the summer.

Crop Residue Management:
During 1990 and 1991 a cover crop was maintained to prevent soil erosion.

Silvicultural Practices:
Extensive pruning was done in 1979-1980 to reshape trees damaged by animals. Dead trees and broken branches were cut and removed each year for sanitation. In 1988, some Russian olive accessions were treated with Tordon, using a hypo-hatchet, with unsuccessful results. In 1989, those treated accessions were cut down, but resprouted. These trees were removed by tractor in 1993.

Evaluations and Measurements:
Records of planting date, survival, vigor, canopy width, height, cold hardiness, animal damage, insect damage, disease symptoms, and unusual or outstanding features have been maintained since 1978. Data does not appear in this report but is available upon request from the PMC.

Plant Performance:
Currently, 84 accessions of 51 species are under evaluation. This site is maintained by the Dickinson Experiment Station. Very little weed competition has occurred within row. A favorable microclimate is provided by surrounding shelterbelts. This undoubtedly reduces exposure to extreme temperatures and winds and desiccation and winter injury. Annual rainfall amounts are similar to Bismarck. The drought years of 1988 and 1989 have severely hampered establishment and performance. With the extended dry weather in 1990 and 1991, the original windbreak of spruce planted on the border died. A number of planted accessions have also died. Generally, the precipitation since that time has been slightly above normal. Many of the trees, especially the poplars have put on considerable growth. The larches have also performed well.

PLOT MAP (continued)