Have you ever considered planting a living windbreak or renovating an existing windbreak? We’ve all seen a beautiful windbreak next to a farmstead, but what does it take to establish one and are there any uses for one besides the obvious reduction of wind on the leeward side? Planning, installation, and care of a living windbreak involves many considerations that can be summed up in ten steps:
1) Let’s first consider the various primary and secondary windbreak objectives:
- Reduce soil erosion from wind
- Provide noise and visual screens
- Protect plants from wind-related damage
- Improve air quality by reducing airborne particulate matter, chemicals and odors
- Manage snow deposition
- Delineate property and field boundaries
- Improve irrigation efficiency
- Provide shelter for structures, livestock, and people
- Create wildlife habitat
- Provide fruit, syrup, and jellies
2) Consider the applicable windbreak density to meet your objectives. Densities of less than 40 percent will allow even snow distribution but will not provide protection for homes, livestock, crops or erosion control. To achieve densities of 50 percent or more will require evergreen trees or shrubs or multiple rows of deciduous trees or shrubs or a combination of these plants.
3) Determine the prevailing wind direction(s). There are local records available that show monthly wind direction.
4) Locate the windbreak so it is perpendicular to the prevailing wind. This may necessitate an L-shape if the prevailing wind comes from more than one direction.
5) Consider site conditions, especially soil type. The soil type will have a great bearing on what species can be expected to thrive at the site. Also consider utility locations, roads/lanes, ditches, drainages, buildings, septic drain fields, or other objects.
6) Consider the windbreak length. The windbreak should extend at least 100 feet beyond the desired area of protection.
7) Consider the windbreak height. In general, the windbreak needs to be twice as tall as the crop or structure being protected. In general, the area protected will be about 10 times the height of the tallest tree or shrub, and measured from that row.
8) Select the tree and shrub species and the proper spacing of plants within and between rows. Soil type will again determine what species will be successful. Windbreak species can provide beneficial habitat for wildlife through thermal protection and by providing food sources. Some species can also provide delicious berries for human consumption as well.
9) Are there any special considerations connected with the site? Local ordinances may have specific setback distances that have to be observed. If an objective is to reduce home energy costs, then placing trees to provide shade on western facing windows will reduce summertime air conditioning needs. If drifting snow is an issue, a second windbreak may be needed to trap snow before it reaches the primary windbreak.
10) Operation and maintenance of the windbreak is critical. A living windbreak is usually planned on a site where Mother Nature would not naturally want trees. Therefore, it will not only take proper site preparation and planting techniques but also ongoing maintenance for the planting to be successful. Weed control, watering or irrigation, and pest control are all important to establish and maintain a functioning, living windbreak but the effort can be very rewarding.
For more information, visit the National Agroforestry Center website. To plan your windbreak, contact your local NRCS office.
