Planting wind breaks

3 posts
Tue, 01/27/2015 - 20:26 #1

Member for

9 years 10 months
Andrew1
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 01/27/2015 - 20:12

Planting wind breaks

I am looking at planting 2 wind breaks to protect the pasture for my stock. In my area it is common practice to use chicken manure to fertilise paddocks followed by the use of Dolimite the following year. This comes with its challengers but pasture responds very well in an area that has very sandy soil in a mountains district close to the coast. I am looking for trees that will be able to handle these types of pasture improvement techniques? Does anyone have some suggestions.? Thanks.
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Tue, 01/27/2015 - 22:04 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Andrew,

my speciality is small ruminants. However, having said that, the routine of using chicken manure one year and dolomite the next, should help to overcome the problem of soil acidity caused by using chicken manure alone. This is what I do in my house garden for vegetables that don't like an acid soil. I use the same routine with goat manure, which is also fairly acid. However, with the orange trees, I only use the goat manure as they like a fairly acid soil. Or, sometimes I use a commercial citrus fertiliser.

Note that native trees usually, only like small amounts of fertiliser and you will have to check up on the internet as to whether the trees you are planting like an acid, or more neutral soil. Most plants have a preference for one type or another.

When applying manure or other fertilisers as a top dressing for trees or shrubs, keep it at least six inches (15 cm) out from the trunk, to avoid burning the bark, and fertilise right out to the drip line where the feeder roots are.

As you are in an area where there are mountains, the soil may be fairly acid, so it may be a good idea to have a soil test done to determine this. Then, you will know how much dolomite you would need to correct the soil acidity/alkalinity for each type of tree or shrub that you wish to plant. I believe there is a soil testing company on the home page of this web site, but there are also many listed in the phone book.

I hope some of this info may be of use to you.

Cheers,

Barb

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Wed, 01/28/2015 - 17:35 #3
charlie
Last seen: 12/26/2018 - 09:21
Joined: 05/31/2011 - 09:44

Hi Andrew,

Welcome to the forum, great to have you on-board.

The pasture improvement techniques being used will not change the inherent sub-soil properties of the soil where the tree roots will eventually end up. Chicken manure is high in phosphorus, where it is used consistently over time it can become excessive and out of balance with other nutrients. All that said, I know that most native species (trees or grasses) can be sensative to high phosphorus levels.

I would be looking around the farm and or on neigbouring properties to see what native tree species do well. You could collect a sample and take it to your local nursery for an accurate identification. It will be an expensive lesson if you plant a number of introduced species that do well for a few years and then die during the first drought.

Your NSW local land service may be able to provide specific advice around suitable tree species for area.

Other planning for wind breaks that should be considered include:

  • Preparation, ensure the area is well fenced, tree lines are sprayed out and deep ripped with a bulldozer at least 3-6 months prior to planting.
  • 5 rows of trees from short shrubs to taller trees will be most effective, if you do not have sufficient room, next best option is 3 rows.

Hope this information is of assistance.

Regards,

Charlie

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