Forest and Stream, November 22, 1902

Sand Dunes of the Atlantic Coast.

Natural resources -- Shoreline migration

WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 14, -- For several years the sand dunes of the Atlantic coast have been made a subject of study by the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture and a number of papers have been issued in regard to sand-binding grasses. During the past summer a study has been made by the Bureau of Forestry to determine what trees and shrubs are most useful in reclaiming the shifting dunes. Considerable damage has been done by dunes, especially in Virginia and North Carolina, and large dunes in several places along the coast are threatening life-saving stations, residences and club houses.

Dunes are formed by the drifting inland of sand washed up on the shore by high tides. The direction of the prevailing wind determines the course of dunes. They advance with the wind, or, if the wind changes its direction, as in New Jersey, they retreat and are blown back into the sea.

Dunes which are advancing on valuable property may be diverted from their course by building on top of them fences placed at an angle to the direction of the prevailing wind. Further drifting of the dunes may be prevented by planting on them beach grass, waxberry, or wax myrtle, which hold the sand together, and the permanent retention of the land can be best accomplished by obtaining as soon as possible a dense stand of forest trees, such as pine and oak.