CHAPTER VIII

SEASIDE PLANTING

Few persons other than those who have actually been engaged in the work have the remotest idea of the difficulties to be encountered in the formation of belts and plantations on exposed and wind-swept seaside ground. To plant young trees around many parts of the coast of the British Isles, particularly where wide stretches of open seaboard are to be dealt with, without first erecting a shelter-screen of some kind or other, is useless work, and only productive of the most unsatisfactory results.

That there are not a few districts, however, where such a preliminary would be needless is well known, all that is required in certain instances being, first of all, to prepare the ground, and secondly, to suit the trees to the soil and situation, seeing that some varieties succeed better than others in certain soils and sites.

From experience I have found out how useless it is to plant in a haphazard way, at least, on the more exposed seaboards along the west coast, whereas, by careful manipulation, I have been successful in getting up shelter where before it was deemed almost an impossibility. The chief consideration in seaside planting is unquestionably shelter, be it only of a temporary kind, for it may be noticed anywhere along our coast that, wherever the direct force of the hurricane is broken, there trees and shrubs are growing best. Another evil—a great one, too—with which the planter has to contend is the injurious effect on trees, but more particularly on evergreen shrubs, of the saline particles which are driven and deposited with such force on the leaves and branches as in many instances to give them the appearance of having been scorched or cut over when in full vigour by an untimely frost. Wind-shaking, although a minor evil, must also be carefully guarded against, so that at the outset it is well to have the trees, except such as are of dwarf size, securely staked and tied, so as to obviate the dire results occasioned to the roots of newly-planted trees when the stems are allowed to rock to and fro with the wind.

Before commencing planting operations on the sandy and exposed sea-coast, the preliminary step is to erect a barrier of some kind, which will intercept the violence of the wind, and act as a screen or shelter to the young plants. For this purpose various kinds of erections are equally suitable, but that usually adopted, especially where loose sand alone is present, is a strong paling fence thatched with brushwood. The posts should if possible be 6 ft. above ground and about 12 ft. apart, the paling-rails, two in number, being securely nailed to these at 2 ft. and 5 ft. from the ground; against this are placed spruce or gorse trimmings, these being 6 ft. long if possible, in an upright manner, and firmly tied to the crossbars by means of binding wire or strong tarred rope. This may best be described as a dead fence, but it is, nevertheless, quite as valuable for the purpose required as a perfectly developed living hedge. By means of this a great advantage is gained and a favourable start for the newly-planted trees is secured. Then, compared with a stone wall, or, in fact, a wall of any kind, this screen-fence is greatly superior, the wind being broken up in passing through it, and, what is of as much value, also relieved of its saline particles, at least to a very considerable extent.

Where the shore is almost destitute of sand, and where certain kinds of vegetation subsist, I find it to be a capital plan to substitute for the dead fence just described that composed of turf and earth.

The raised mound should be not less than 5 ft. in height, and of sufficient width at top to allow of the planting of a double line of such plants as have been found most suitable for the wind-swept maritime situation in which they are to be used. For this purpose few plants equal, and certainly none surpass, the Sea Buckthorn (_Hippophæ rhamnoides_), Tamarisk (_Tamarix gallica_), the common elder, hazel, whitethorn, and at least three species of willow—_Salix Caprea_, _S. helix_, and _S. alba_. Immediately behind this screen, pits of not less than 2 ft. in diameter and about 18 in. in depth may be formed, and it will be all the better if some time is allowed to elapse before they are planted. The bottom and side of each pit should, where found necessary, be loosed with a pick, and if the soil is found to be of very inferior quality, it will be well, more especially where such can be readily obtained, to add a spadeful or two from some adjoining field.

Planting should not be commenced before March or April, an early start at growth being much in favour of young trees that have recently been transferred to the sea-coast. The plants to be used should not exceed, say, 12 to 15 in. in height, but of strong growth in proportion to their size, and supplied with an abundance of fibrous roots. Lanky, ill-grown, and coddled plants have but a poor chance of succeeding under such adverse circumstances.

In planting, keep the strongest roots seaward, and do not place the trees at a greater depth in the soil than that at which they stood whilst in the nursery border. The failure to use this precaution is a mistake, and is productive of anything but favourable results. Immediately behind this raised mound of turf, or the dead fence of branches above described, the best trees for withstanding the first brunt of the sea-breeze are the sycamore, elm, elder, and willow amongst hardwoods, and the Austrian and cluster pines (_Pinus austriaca_ and _P. Pinaster_), to which might be added _P. laricio_, _P. sylvestris_, and _P. montana_, amongst conifers. These are all well-tried subjects, and may be relied upon as peculiarly suited for doing battle with hard-blowing and long-continued storms on the sea-coast.

Regarding the merits of the cluster pine for seaside planting, it would be almost superfluous for me to speak; while the elm and sycamore send out their stout branches into the very teeth of the blast, and are known as peculiarly well suited for such situations.

The following list includes such trees and shrubs as have, from long experience, been found well suited for planting on cold and wind-swept shores, and the trees are arranged according to their value in this respect.

HARDWOODS

The =Sycamore= (_Acer Pseudo-platanus_) is, without doubt, the most valuable hard-wooded tree of timber size that I have come across for planting in exposed seaside situations. It succeeds well, even at highwater mark, the stout, twiggy branches being thrown out into the very face of the blast. Even during winter, and in a leafless state, the amount of shelter afforded by this tree is quite surprising. Taking everything into consideration—its great hardihood, and suitability to various soils and situations, I consider the sycamore the most valuable of any deciduous tree that I have yet tried for seaside planting.

The =Elder= (_Sambucus nigra_) is, amongst small-growing trees, the best for planting in exposed seaside districts. Its powers of endurance are even greater than those of the sycamore, although the amount of shelter it affords is by no means so great. Where its branches are constantly exposed to the saline-laden breeze, and its roots amongst almost pure sand, it grows and thrives in a manner that is quite surprising. With the greatest advantages have I used the elder as a wind-break on some of the most exposed and desolate coasts of the British Isles. Even where grown as a single specimen, it seems to disregard the angry blast and saline particles with which it is almost constantly pelted—a fact that may be verified, in not one, but several stations along the coast. Then, what tree is of readier culture than the elder, succeeds better in poor, sandy soils, or spreads about to an equal extent?

The =Norway Maple= (_Acer platanoides_) stands the first brunt of the sea-breeze in a most commendable way—indeed, it may be recommended as one of the most hardy and valuable trees for the purpose under consideration that could be named. On the western coast of England, and in a very exposed and wind-swept district, I have used it with the greatest success in the formation of plantations, as it is of rapid growth and soon forms an excellent shelter to the other less hardy kinds of trees. It is by no means particular as to soil, but succeeds all the better if this is fairly rich.

The =Winged Elm= (_Ulmus alata_).—From a long experience of this, at present, little-known tree, I have every confidence in recommending it as one of the most valuable trees for planting in cold, wind-tortured, and maritime districts that have yet found their way into this country. Where many of our hardiest trees are bent and shrinking from the blast, this elm stands nobly out, and seems to defy both winds and storm.

The =Huntingdon Willow= (_Salix alba_) and =Bedford Willow= (_S. Russelliana_), but particularly the former, are excellent trees for windy shores. In many places along the coast the Huntingdon willow may be seen in a most flourishing and happy condition, and that, too, where the surroundings are the reverse of favourable. It is a tree of quick growth, and will succeed well in any class of soil if it be not too damp. In one instance that came under my notice, the trees were planted on a promontory overhanging the sea and in such a situation that they were almost constantly subjected to rough-blowing winds coming in from the Irish Sea, and yet they have grown with the greatest freedom, and to-day look as healthy and happy as if planted in some sheltered inland situation.

The =Beam Tree= (_Pyrus Aria_) is another excellent small-growing tree for planting in sites where, from cold saline blasts, few others could eke out even a miserable existence.

On the limestone cliffs of the Great Orme’s Head this handsome and hardy tree grows in a most surprising way—indeed, with the exception of one or two species of willow, I question very much whether any other tree could exist under the trying circumstances. The hard and leathery leaves seem as if specially constructed for bearing storms, and, being plentifully produced, render a great amount of shelter to other trees.

The =Goat Willow= (_Salix Caprea_), for planting in almost pure sand on the sea-coast, is a most valuable small-growing tree, and it is so hardy that, without the least risk of harm, it may be planted at great altitudes, and in very exposed situations. In several of the maritime plantations that I have formed, this willow was used with remarkable success in the outer line or screen.

The =Aspen= (_Populus tremula_) is an excellent shore-tree, one that can withstand a great amount of rough usage, and as hardy and fast-growing a subject as could well be desired. In the formation of several exposed seaside woods on the west coast of England I planted the aspen largely, and, I may add, the results have been most satisfactory.

=P. canadensis=, =P. alba=, and =P. nigra= are likewise worthy of extended culture, for they succeed well by the seaside. They all stand the breeze from the sea, are perfectly hardy, and afford a great amount of shelter.

The =Mountain Ash= (_Pyrus Aucuparia_).—Although valueless, or nearly so, for the quantity of timber it produces, yet, as a hardy, free-growing tree, the mountain ash, or rowan tree, merits attention from planters of exposed seaside land. All along the coast of Great Britain this pretty tree may be found growing luxuriantly, and in such situations affording a great amount of shelter to other less hardy kinds of trees and shrubs. It may be planted without fear of harm, down even to highwater mark, and where the soil is of the poorest description. It is thus one of the most useful of trees for planting as shelter along the roughest and most wind-tortured parts of the coast.

The =Hoary Alder= (_Alnus incana_) and the =Common Alder= (_A. glutinosa_) can hardly be excelled for planting in wet portions of cold, wind-swept ground, and in the vicinity of the sea. Both trees grow with the greatest freedom, and are perfectly hardy, standing the first brunt of the saline blasts in a most commendable and praiseworthy manner.

I have found it to be a good plan where shelter is wanted on bare coast-tracts, if the quality of soil be at all suitable, to plant the alders pretty closely, and when they have attained to 15 ft. or 20 ft. in height, to cut every alternate one over at ground level. By so doing a number of stout shoots are thrown out early in the following spring, which, as they grow with great rapidity, soon fill up the blanks occasioned by cutting over the young trees.

After these have had several years’ growth the remaining half of the original crop should be cut over, and when all have started from the stools a first-class shelter is obtained. Of course, damp portions of the ground should be selected on which to plant the alder.

The =English Maple= (_Acer campestre_) can well hold its own as a tree for planting on exposed seaside grounds. It is one of the hardiest trees with which I am acquainted, growing on exposed hillsides and at considerable elevations in a way that seems to attract the attention of every one.

Hedges or fringe fences of the native maple have succeeded amazingly in several maritime woods in which it was planted, and in places, too, where the wind blew loud and long.

The =Scotch Elm= (_Ulmus montana_) comes next on the list of such trees as I would recommend for the purpose under consideration. It affords plenty of shelter, as it grows freely from the root-stock, sending up numerous suckers, and is so hardy and proof against damage from storms that it may safely be planted in wind-swept districts by the seaside.

=Birch= (_Betula alba_) and =Ash= (_Fraxinus excelsior_) are other trees that repeated experiments have proved to be well suited for withstanding the ocean’s blast and for planting in poor, rocky soils.

The =Turkey Oak= (_Quercus Cerris_), with just a small amount of shelter, will be found a most valuable tree for planting within the influence of the sea. It thrives well in very poor soils, and when in full leaf is capable of affording a great amount of shelter.

The =Evergreen Oak= (_Q. Ilex_) has proved itself to be peculiarly fitted for planting as shelter in exposed and maritime districts. In the formation of seaside plantations, but particularly where, from the frequency and force of the storms, few trees can succeed, I have planted the evergreen oak with the greatest success.

The trees just treated of have no equals, among such as have yet been introduced, for withstanding cold seaside winds, a trial of many other varieties only resulting in proving their unfitness for planting in such situations. Two or three others, such as the =English Oak=, =Hornbeam=, =Beech= and =English Elm=, might be added to the list, but they can only be recommended for planting where at least partial shelter is afforded.

CONIFERÆ

Foremost amongst these I must, from long personal experience and a fair trial of several kinds under exactly similar conditions in every way, place the =Austrian Pine= (_Pinus austriaca_). It grows with unusual freedom, and affords a greater amount of shelter than any other tree with which I am at present acquainted.

That it will succeed equally well with the _P. Pinaster_ when subjected to the sea-breeze, I am now fully convinced, while the amount of shelter it affords, and rapidity of growth, place it far ahead of that species for the purpose we are now considering. It may not succeed so well as the Pinaster when planted in pure sand, on the sea-coast, and this is the only point that can be adduced in favour of the latter species over _P. austriaca_.

In forming many large woods along the coast of Northern England I used the Austrian pine in preference to several others, and happily, too, for it has succeeded in a surprising manner, trees of ten years’ growth being fully 13 ft. in height, and nearly as much in diameter of branch spread. With such a screen as that afforded by the hardy Austrian, many half-tender trees can be planted farther inland; and this is the method of procedure that I have found to be most successful in getting up shelter along bare and fully exposed parts of the shores of Western England and Scotland.

The =Cluster Pine= (_P. Pinaster_) and its smaller-growing variety _P. maritima_ have a world-wide reputation for their suitability for planting on exposed seaside tracts of ground. That they are of great value for planting on sandy wastes is a fact that cannot be gainsaid—indeed, few other trees could succeed or eke out an existence in pure sand and where the roots come in contact with the salt water. A great drawback to this pine is its long tap-root and want of fibrous roots; it transplants with difficulty, but this, as in various other species of pine, may be greatly obviated by careful nursery management.

In my own opinion the typical tree is hardly equal to the variety _maritima_ either for shelter or withstanding the sea-breeze. The variety, too, is, if anything, the most valuable for shelter-giving, it having a much greater inclination to retain the lower branches intact.

The =Corsican Pine= (_P. laricio_) quite equals the Austrian in its powers of withstanding long-continued and cold winds. That it does not succeed so well on the sea-coast is a fact of which, from repeated experiments, I am fully aware. The Corsican pine, too, is a valuable timber-producer—a fact that is well worthy of consideration in extensive planting.

In the =Giant Arborvitæ= (_Thuja gigantea_) we have another excellent addition to the list of trees that have been found suitable for planting on exposed maritime grounds. It grows with great rapidity, and I have never found even a solitary example of this tree having been uprooted or injured during the most severe storms. On the sea-coast of Wales I have used the giant arborvitæ largely in the formation of woods and plantations, and with great success. It transplants well, even when of large size, and is readily propagated.

=Pinus montana= may also be recommended for afforesting tracts of ground by the sea-coast. It is a tree of undoubted hardihood, withstanding cold and cutting winds in a worthy manner.

The =Scotch Pine= (_P. sylvestris_), though by no means equal to the above for planting by the seaside, must on no account be omitted from our list, for it is a hardy, fast-growing specimen, and one that can do battle with very severe and long-lasting storms. It should not be planted where it will meet the first brunt of the storm, but given a little shelter, such as that afforded by the above-named kinds. The varieties of pine just named may all be relied upon as peculiarly well fitted for the purpose under consideration.

The =Large-fruited Cypress= (_Cupressus macrocarpa_) and =Pinus insignis= might be added to the list, both being well suited for maritime planting—inland, however, they cannot be relied upon. _Pinus insignis_ grows with unabated vigour on the wind-swept coast of the Isle of Anglesey, and stands the breeze in a most surprising and praiseworthy manner.

The =Atlantic Cedar= (_Cedrus atlantica_) and =Swiss Stone Pine= (_Pinus Cembra_) do fairly well as seaside trees.

SHRUBS

The =Sea Buckthorn= (_Hippophea rhamnoides_) is unquestionably the best all-round shrub for planting as a shelter by the sea-coast with which we are acquainted. To see it in several districts of Scotland, growing amongst almost pure sand, and where constantly exposed to fierce blasts, shows how valuable a shrub it is for exposed maritime situations. For affording shelter it is one of the best shrubs that I know of, the unusually twiggy branches sifting and dividing up the wind in a most remarkable manner.

=Tamarix gallica= and =T. germanica= are two excellent seaside shrubs, and such as are well suited for planting on exposed places. They grow with great freedom, transplant well, and are readily propagated. Even in pure sand they seem quite at home, growing freely, and producing a rich abundance of their showy flowers. In very exposed parts of the coast, and when fully open to direct sea-blasts, we have frequently seen the tamarisk fully a dozen feet in height, and nearly as much in branch-spread. Though little known _T. germanica_ is a most valuable seaside shrub, about 6 ft. in height, with small leaves, and spikes of conspicuous red flowers.

The =Box Thorn= (_Lycium europæum_) may be introduced without fear of harm to the seaside woods, for it is not only perfectly hardy in such situations, but it bears constant exposure to wind as well as any shrub I know of. Hedges of this plant have been formed in many maritime parts of England and Wales, the only support being a few stakes driven in here and there along the line of fence. It will grow in pure sand, and when lashed by the waves.

The =Snowberry= (_Symphoricarpus racemosus_) comes next on the list of shrubs that have been found suitable for the purpose under consideration. It is a plant of extraordinary hardihood, one that increases rapidly from the root-stock and affords a fair amount of shelter.

The =Tree Mallow= (_Lavatera arborea_) can hardly be surpassed for shore planting, where it frequently attains to a height of 10 ft. It has been found of great utility in some of the islands along the coast of Scotland.

=Spirea Adiantifolia= is a fitting companion for the latter, growing and flowering very freely in wind-swept gardens along the Scottish coast.

=Griselinia littoralis= has stood a severe test as to its capability for withstanding cold winds blowing in from the sea.

The =Dogwood= (_Cornus sanguinea_) and =Flowering Currant= (_Ribes sanguineum_) are, likewise, excellent seaside shrubs, of perfect hardihood and readily propagated.

The =Tree Purslane= (_Atriplex halimus_) is also a really valuable shrub that is totally indifferent to the salt spray, and from its dwarf, evergreen nature, and silvery-scaly leaves, is also more or less ornamental. It does not seem to mind either wind blowing direct from the sea, or whether the soil in which it is planted is of only moderate quality.

The =Laurustinus= (_Viburnum tinus_).—Where the situation is not too exposed, this is a most valuable and ornamental shrub.

=Lilac= of various species are well adapted for planting by the seaside, the two kinds most to be recommended being the =Common= and =Persian= (_Syringa vulgaris_ and _S. Persica_).

The =Spanish Broom= (_Spartium junceum_) has been used with the greatest success all along the coast, being perfectly hardy, and an excellent subject for cold, draughty positions.

The =Tree Groundsel= (_Baccharis halimifolia_) is not only a shrub of great beauty, but one that is perfectly hardy, and well adapted for planting by the seaside. It will thrive in almost pure sand, but it is all the better for a poor gravelly loam, and seems to delight in the ozone of the seaside atmosphere.

Both the =Portugal Laurel= (_Prunus lusitanica_) and =Sweet-Bay= (_Laurus nobilis_) are valuable evergreen shrubs for seaside planting. From their large size and compact habit, they afford a great amount of shelter.

The =Common Holly= (_Ilex aquifolium_) and its golden form both do well at the seaside, and this may also be said of the =Common= and =Scotch Laburnums=. They may be used with best advantage where the direct force of the blast is broken up.

The =Common Gorse= (_Ulex europæus_) and the =Broom= (_Cytisus scoparius_) should on no account be omitted from our list of shrubs that are valuable for maritime wastes where the wind exerts its full power.

The above shrubs include the principal of such as can be recommended for planting along the sea-coast, but where good shelter is afforded by the trees named in this chapter, a few others might be recommended for trial. These include the =Strawberry Tree= (_Arbutus unedo_), =Euonymus japonicus=, =Berberis Darwinii=, =Ligustrum Ovalifolium=, =Daphne Mezereon=, and =D. laureola=, =Ruscus aculeatus=, =Hypericum calycinum=, =Vinca major= and =V. minor=, and several kinds of thorn.

The =Maram=, or =Sea Matweed= (_Psamma arenaria_) is one of the most useful grasses with which I am acquainted for binding shifting sands on the sea-coast. Not only so, but by using it as a pioneer, the amount of shelter it affords renders other more difficult subjects by no means hard to cultivate. It usually attains to a height of from 2 ft. to 2½ ft., much depending on the situation, whether partially sheltered or fully exposed. The root-stock creeps widely, some specimens that have been followed up in the sand being of the amazing length of 35 yards. Amongst loose and drifting sand the running roots find what is most suitable for the welfare of the plant, and it is astonishing with what persistency they bind in an unusually short space of time these shifting hills of almost dust-dry sand. In planting, place the plants in parallel lines, about 16 in. apart, and at a distance of 12 in. from each other. Large plants may be subdivided to almost any extent. A garden line is stretched along the ground, a notch 10 in. deep taken out, the grass inserted therein and filled with sand, and afterwards firmly trodden. That the sea matweed is a most useful plant for fast gaining a footing on sandy tracts of sea-coast, and thus allowing of following up with the shelter-giving trees, cannot be disputed.

The =Lymegrass= (_Elymus arenarius_) is also valuable for growing in almost pure sand on the sea-coast.

It is of tall, elegant growth, and is readily increased from root divisions.

The following trees and shrubs, alphabetically arranged, are recommended for seaside planting:—

TREES FOR THE SEA-COAST.

Acer campestre Pinus Pinaster maritima —— creticum Populus canadensis —— Pseudo-platanus —— nigra Alnus glutinosa —— nigra —— incana Pyrus Aucuparia Betula alba —— Aria Carpinus betulus Quercus Ilex Cedrus atlantica —— Robur Cupressus macrocarpa Salix alba Fagus sylvatica —— Caprea Fraxinus excelsior —— Forsteriana Pinus austriaca —— Russelliana —— laricio Thuja gigantea —— montana Ulmus alata —— Pinaster —— campestris —— montana

SHRUBS FOR THE SEA-COAST.

Atriplex halimus Lavatera arborea Aucuba japonica Lycium europæum Cerasus lusitanica Rhamnus frangula —— Padus Ribes sanguineum Cytisus Laburnum Rosa spinosissima —— scoparius Shepherdia argentea Euonymus japonicus Spirea adiantifolia —— europæus Syringa persica Fabiana imbricata —— vulgaris Griselinia littoralis Symphoricarpus racemosus Hippophæ rhamnoides Tamarix gallica Ilex Aquifolium —— germanica —— Aquifolium aurea Ulex Europæus Laurus nobilis Viburnum tinus

GRASSES.

Elymus arenarius Psamma arenaria