While the writer was making a canvass of Buffalo County, Nebraska, during August, 1922, for the purpose of eradicating the common barberry, he became interested in trees and shrubs usually planted in rural dooryards. Buffalo County is situated on the north bank of the Platte river, near the south-central part of Nebraska, in the semiarid region. The rainfall is about twenty-five inches per year as an average, with years of much less, as was the year 1922, when the amount was about nineteen inches

Fitzpatrick, T. J.

English

University of Northern Iowa

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of ScienceVolume 30 | Annual Issue Article 581923The Arborescent Flora of Midwest FarmsteadsT. J. FitzpatrickUniversity of NebraskaCopyright © Copyright 1923 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/piasThis Research is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa Academy of Science at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion inProceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science by an authorized editor of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contactscholarworks@uni.edu.Recommended CitationFitzpatrick, T. J. (1923) "The Arborescent Flora of Midwest Farmsteads," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 30(1), 359-364.Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol30/iss1/58THE ARBORESCENT FLORA OF MIDWEST FARMSTEADS T. J. FITZPATRICK \Vhile the writer was making a canvass of Buffalo county, Nebraska, during August, 1922, for the purpose of eradicating the common barberry, he became interested in trees and shrubs usually planted in rural dooryards. Buffalo county is situated on the north bank of the Platte river, near the south-central part of Nebraska, in the semiarid region. The rainfall is about twenty-five inches per year as an average, with years of much less, as was the year 1922, when the amount was about nineteen inches. The arborescent flora about or in the dooryards is a planted one; the purpose is to secure shade and ornamentation. The results obtained depend entirely upon selection, location, and care, as well as skill in planting. l\Iany dooryards were seen that were absolutely without trees or shrubs of any kind; a little buffalo grass or other native grasses, a few ruderals or native plants of the nearby prairie made up the scanty vegetation of the yard. In other words the dwelling had been erected on the native sod and the vegetation present was a remnant of the original one along with a few ruderals in compe-tition with human occupation. Under such conditions during the sunny days of the long summer drought there was a maximum of desiccation which produced an environment unfavorable to either plant or human occupation. As a consequence abandoned farm-steads were much too frequently in evidence for the good of the former occupants or of the present community. The general favorites among the shrubs are lilac, spira:a, matri-mony vine, rose, and in frequency are about in the order named though the choice of the pioneers was evidently lilac and matri-mony vine. the spinea being a later introduction. l\Iost other shrubs were of much later planting, some only in recent years. The early trees were cottonwood, box elder, white elm, soft maple, ash; later planting~ included juniper, black locust, black walnut, hackberry, catalpa, mulberry, osage orange, etc. The writer observed on the prairie a few: groves of considerable 359 1Fitzpatrick: The Arborescent Flora of Midwest FarmsteadsPublished by UNI ScholarWorks, 1923360 10\\A _\CADEMY OF SCIENCE Vor,. XXX, 1923 extent which had their origin in early plantings, doubtless prornpt-·ed by a tree-planting statute. Some of these are in excellent con-dition, having a good location and a suitable selection of trees; others present an indifferent appearance, the location being poor and the trees unsuitable to the environment. In two or more places it was seen that the tree plantings were rapidly becoming less in extent, the encroaching prairie taking up the abandoned area. The average ronditions are suitable to tree growth but the extremes inhibit in a poor or indifferent location. Lilac is the shrub most frequently seen in the region under consideration. It was planted as a hedge along the border of the dooryard or as single shrubs or clumps almost anywhere in the yard. \Vhen planted as a hedge it may occur along any one or more of the four sides or occasionally it appears as a wing out from any corner of the house. All of the old plantings seem to be those with broadly ovate leaves and blue or purplish to white flowers ( Syringa vulgaris). Some of the older and many of the later plantings have narrowly ovate leaves and white flowers ( S;Jri11 ga persica). In Buffalo county the lilac rare! y grows high-er than six to eight feet. Often it is pruned to give a desirable ornamental hedge effect. The lilac is hardy and does well in this region but during the present drought it was noticeable that conditions had nearly reached the limit for its continuance. ~o evidence was found that any had succumbed during a previous drought. The lilac was evidently much in favor with the early pioneers. This is apparent not only from the age of the bushes but also from their occurrence about long-ago abandoned house sites. In many cases I noticed that practically every trace of a pioneer dwelling may be gone save for a single clump of lilac. Sometimes of the dwelling nothing was to be seen save a scarcely visible quad-rangle, a remnant of the foundation, or more or less of a de-pression indicating the former cave or cellar; but the lilac clump was remaining as a solitary sentinel of the past and forgotten. In one instance I founcl a lone clump of lilac in the midst of a cornfield. It was the last trace left of an ancient dooryard. S piraca or bridal-wreath is the next shrub in frequency and seeming favor. It is planted both as a hedge and as single shrubs; the hedge being placed as a bonier and the shrubs in any conven-ient opening. This shrub is well adapted to this region, showing little if any discomfort from the drought. The bright green foliage 2Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 30 [1923], No. 1, Art. 58https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol30/iss1/58ARBORESCENT FLORA OF FARMSTEADS 361 is a welcome sight at any time and the shrubs are very beautiful during the flowering period. The species usually found seems to be Spiraea van houttei. Matrimony vine ( Lycium vulgare) is a frequently observed shrub, sometimes planted as a hedge, but more often as a single shrub. It does very well but has the bad habit of spreading and in some places becoming a pest as a weed. \Vhen planted in a row with a low trellis through the middle it makes a rather strik-ing ornamental hedge. Roses are commonly planted as single shrubs, occasionally in rows or thickets. Two or three species are usually seen, as the climbing rose, the eglantine, etc. Cottonwood was often planted by the pioneers either for shade, when only a few were planted, or for windbreaks when many were planted closely in rows. These latter plantings were of greater or lesser extent in both directions. The larger plantingg are mainly in the Platte, Loup, and ·wood river valleys; only small plantings occur on the uplands. Many of the early plant-ings are now large trees with forest conditions and the usual un-der growth. The plantings were around or adjacent to the farm-steads and if large extended along the fields adjacent to the highway. The most extensive planting and one of the older ones that I observed was on the south side of the Platte river, southeast of Kearney. Here several closely-planted rows for miles flank the highway which runs eastward, the rows gradually thinning down to one before ending. The species usually seen was the western one known as Populus sargentii. The cottonwood has some undesirable qualities and does not seem to be much in favor with recent planters. R cd cedar (Juniperus i1irginiana) is frequently planted, perhaps a few for ornament, but more often in rows and then less for ornament but more as a windbreak. The red cedar does well in this region, needing but little care to prevent the ill effects of drought. The tree is often badly infected with the fungus popu-larly known as cedar apples ( G ymnosporangiunt 1nacro pus). As a result all the neighboring apple trees were found to be badly infected with the cedar rust. The cedar has so many good quali-ties that the owners feel constrained to retain their trees in spite of its bad qualities. The apple crop, however, is not seriously con-sidered as the region has not been developed as a fruit country. Box elder (Acer ncgundo) has apparently always been in much 3Fitzpatrick: The Arborescent Flora of Midwest FarmsteadsPublished by UNI ScholarWorks, 1923362 IOWA-ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vor.. XXX, 1923 favor as it grows quickly and gives the maximum amount of shade in the least time. It occurs planted as single trees or in rows for windbreaks. Mulberry ( M orus rubra) is infrequently seen as a door yard planting, but more often as a hedge or windbreak. The later plantings of mulberry seem to be the French mulberry ( M orus alba). This one is often planted thickly in a. row and kept trim-med down to about four feet in height as an ornamental hedge. Black locust (Robinia pscudacacia) was not often seen but it occurs as a windbreak or as a shade tree. It is very pretty when in blossom but is subject to insect attacks and then is unsightly. Honey locust ( Glcditsia triacanthos) is not often planted. This tree has many good qualities and does not seem to be subject to fungus or insect attacks. All the trees observed were fine ones, the dark green foliage presenting a pleasing sight. The drought apparently did not affect them. This tree should be more fre-quently planted, using the thornless variety. One farm about eight n!iles north of Riverdale has extensive plantings of this speoes. Common barberry ( B erberis vulgaris) was not often seen about the dooryards. All that I found occurred as single clumps and in one hedge. Every specimen was badly infected with the black stem rnst of wheat (P11rri11ia graminis). The harboring of the common barberry is now prohibited by law in most of the wheat growing states. All the specimens found were dug up. Japanese barberry ( Berbcris thunbergii) was not often seen about the farmsteads though frequently observed in the towns. This species is now replacing the common barberry in many places. Green ash ( Fra.:i:inus viridis) is a frequently occurring tree, being planted either for shade or for a windbreak. During this season it suffered much from the drought. Plum (Przrnus a111crica11a) is not infrequent about farmyards. vVhen this species occurs there is usually a thicket of them :i.bout the side or end of the yard or in the field adjacent. \Vhen a few are planted or if seeds are dropped in likely places the number of individu:i.ls increases rapidly and they spread along the fences or over uncultivated places :i.nd thus form the thickets so often seen. Bush honeysuckle ( Lonicera tartarica) is not infrequently plant-ed as a solitary ornamental bush. 4Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 30 [1923], No. 1, Art. 58https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol30/iss1/58:\RBOJ<ESCENT FLORA OF FAR:\[STEADS 363 !flock orange (Philadclphus coronarius) occurs occasionally. Its numerous white flowers make it very ornamental. At other times for lack of care it is an indifferent bu~h. Snowball (Viburnum opulus) is not commonly seen in many dooryards and usually only one or t\rn clumps will he found at any one place. Prii•et ( Ligustrnm 'l'lf lgare) is infrequent and when found it occurs as a hedge. It grows fairly well ancl when properly trim-med it gives a pleasing background to proper plantings about the yard. f,Vlzitc clm ( Uln111s amcricana) is often chosen as a shade tree ancl when planted ,,·ith reference to proper space it develops a fine shade tree with no undesirable qualities. More of this species shonkl be planted. Black Zc•alnut (J11yla11s 11igra) was observed a number of times. It docs fairly well in lower places which receive drainage and hence have a deeper soil and more moisture. Osage orange (J!acl11ra t11tra11tiarn) has been frequently plant-ed along the borders of yards or roadsides as a hedge. It is quite effective but has undesirable qualities and its use is now infrequent. Soft 111ap!e (Acer sacclzari1111m) is frequently planted for shade or windbreak. In the moister situations it does well but in the drier situations it does not fare su well. Russian oli1.'e ( fleagn11si 1111gustifo<lia) has planted during the last fifteen or twenty years. mental and seems to resist the drought readily. been frequently It is quite orna-Tree of lzem·e11 (Llila11tlius glandu!osa) is occasionally planted for shade. S er<.·ice-berry ( Amrla11clzier ca11ade11sis) is sometimes planted. Here this species is shrubby, grows in clumps, and usually has the appearance of a hedge. Hackberry ( C eltis orridcntalis) is not often planted. In the lower sitnations it does fairly well !mt grows feebly in the higher and drier places. The leaycs are frequently covered with insect galls. Virginia creep tr ( Amf'clopsis qui11q11efolia) is occasionally planted lmt frequently occurs spontaneously. Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is not infrequent in many parts ot the county. The many large flower~ make the tree very orna-mental and the numerous large leayes give a dense foliage with much shade. 5Fitzpatrick: The Arborescent Flora of Midwest FarmsteadsPublished by UNI ScholarWorks, 1923364 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vor .. XXX, 1923 Choke cherry (I'runus virginiana) is occasionally planted and it also occurs spontaneously in border thickets. Here it is usually a shrub and does very well. Lombardy poplar ( Popullls dilatata) is occasionally planted. It does not seem to thrive very well. White poplar ( P opulus alba). This species was observed about a few farmsteads. Austrian pine (Pinus austriaca) is occasionally planted. The individuals examined were small trees and seemed to be doing fairly well. Clammy locust (Robi11ia Tiscosa). A few specimens were in-frequently noticed. Trumpet creep a ( Tecoma radicans) is frequently seen at some angle of the house or other convenient location. lJNIV:(RSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN. 6Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 30 [1923], No. 1, Art. 58https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol30/iss1/58

The Arborescent Flora of Midwest Farmsteads

https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6114&amp;context=pias

The Arborescent Flora of Midwest Farmsteads

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

University of Northern Iowa