Trees in Kansas?

by Thomas L. Flowers, District Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Meade, Kansas

When the cavalry troops from Fort Dodge, Kansas, ventured into the “Indian Territory” south of the Arkansas River, trees were so scarce that they made certain to note them as major landmarks for other troops that may enter the region. In the area now known as Meade County, only one tree stood sentinel to the winds and fires of the prairie. It was known as the “Lone Tree” and later became better known as the burial site for a survey party attacked and killed by Indians.

One tree in the entire county? It is difficult to believe today, but it was true at the time. Thousands of trees have been planted in Meade County since the time of the cavalry missions of the 1870’s.

Once the area south of the Arkansas River was opened to settlement, settlers filtered into the area and tried their darndest to make it like the homes they left in Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, and other forested areas to the east. Drought, fire, and insects made it very tough going indeed. Trees were brought out by covered wagons and gently planted, watered, and cared for by the homesteaders. Most of them died. The government rewarded settlers willing to plant and care for trees with free land. Known as “Timber Claims,” few of these trees survived to maturity.

In the 1930’s and 1940’s, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employees planted thousands of trees in the county as “field windbreaks.” Improved tree selections and soil preparation helped many of these trees survive the harsh environment, and many are still present today.

Today, every farmstead has at least some trees present. Most have a dense windbreak on the north and west sides of the home to block cold winter winds and snow. If you ask the landowners, most would tell you that these trees are one of the most important parts of their farmstead. Few would think of removing them. It is even difficult for some homeowners to remove a dead or diseased tree that they have nurtured from a sapling.

Many farmstead tree plantings are still done with a shovel and watered with a bucket, but today there are other options. Tree planters are available to help speed up the planting process. Weed fabric machines lay down a synthetic “mulch” to keep the plantings free of weeds for several years. Today, almost all plantings are watered by a drip irrigation system installed at the time of planting.

Trees are still hard to grow in southwestern Kansas, but the effort is worth it. Just ask anyone protected by a cedar windbreak during a February blizzard. Today is a great time to begin planning your windbreak and preparing the site for planting. For proper tree selection and planting ideas, contact your local USDA Service Center and talk to the Natural Resources Conservation Service or conservation district staff or to the Kansas Forest Service district forester.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

Fabric Mulch Fabric mulch is becoming a popular item in tree planting. This mulch conserves moisture and prevents weeds and grasses from choking out newly planted trees.	Tree Planting Machine Tree planting machines make quick work out of planting a large windbreak. Many trees are still planted the old- fashioned way, with a shovel.
Windbreaks Many windbreaks planted in the 1930’s and 1940’s through the Prairie States Windbreak Project and the CCC program are still serving the area by blocking winter winds. Older windbreaks typically have ten or more rows.

This article is also available in Microsoft Word format.

Trees in Kansas? (DOC; 35 KB) (Click on images above to download larger version of the pictures)

< Back to Conservation Editions - Fiscal Year 2004 Index

Last Modified: 09/04/2008