Windbreak

FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

Field Windbreaks
Since 1954, the GRCA has worked with private landowners to
achieve their environmental goals and enhance their property by
planting trees. The GRCA has helped thousands of landowners plant
more than 26 million trees.

Field Windbreaks
Landowners in the watershed with more than one hectare
(2.5 acres) of land exclusive of buildings are eligible to participate in
Windbreak
the tree planting program. The trees are grown for their naturalization FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
qualities and not their looks. They are available in a variety of sizes,
ranging from seedlings through to bare root tall stock.

A Forestry Specialist from the Grand River Conservation Authority

is available to help plan your tree planting project.

Farmstead Shelterbelts
Our forestry extension service includes: Windbreak
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
• A site visit for consultation and an assessment
of the site characteristics.
• A planting plan outlining site preparation, species composition,
design/layout, and future tending requirements.
• Assistance in accessing grant programs.
• Coordinating the planting of trees during the spring
planting season.
• Follow up technical advice as needed. Windbreak
Living Snow Fences FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

For more information or to arrange a site visit contact

one of the GRCA forestry specialists:
1-866-900-4722 (519) 621-2761
ruralwater@grandriver.ca
Field Windbreaks
 Three Row Conifer Windbreak
Field
Windbreaks Pre
Win vailin
Objectives
dD g • To protect against GMO contamination
irec
Strategically plant rows of trees adjacent to your farm fields to increase crop yields by slowing the wind tion
and spray drift from neighbouring farms
and reducing moisture loss in plants and soil. You will also prevent erosion, increase pollinator habitat, for organic farm certification.
provide wildlife corridors, increase snow deposition for added soil moisture, provide perching sites for • Improve crop yield.

Living
raptors to decrease rodent populations and supplement farm income through forest products.
• Provide wildlife corridor.

Single Row Spruce Windbreak

Snow Fences Strategy
Year 2

• Hand plant a three row windbreak at

Three rows at a spacing of 2m between trees and
Objectives 2m spacing 3m between rows.
between trees
and 3m spacing • The two outside rows consist of cedar.
Farmstead
• Improve crop yield.
between rows.
Outside row:
The middle row consists of a mix of pine
and spruce.
Shelterbelts
• Shelter farmstead from harsh winds. cedar
Middle row: • The middle row of spruce and pine will
• Use a row of trees to define property line. pine/spruce
have every second tree removed and
Outside row:
cedar
transplanted to other areas on the farm
Strategy when crowns begin to touch.
Single row
of spruce at
Year 20
Pre 2m spacing
Win vailin • Install plastic mulch prior to planting
dD g
irec for weed control and moisture retention. Planting
Double Row Conifer & Hardwood Windbreak
tion
• Hand plant a single row of white spruce
seedlings at 2m spacing.

Objectives
P
Wi reva
nd ilin
Dir g • Aesthetics.
ec
tio
n • Improve crop yield.
Year 3
• Provide wildlife corridor.

Strategy
Single Row Hardwood Windbreak Spruce at
2m spacing
• Hand plant a double row windbreak at
2m spacing between trees and 3m spacing
Mix of
Objectives deciduous at
between rows.
2m spacing
• The first row on the west side consists
• Aesthetics. of spruce.
• Wildlife enhancement. • The second row consists of a mix of maple
• Improve crop yield. and oak.
Single row • The row of spruce will serve the function
alternating
between of providing wind protection while the second
maple and ash Strategy row will add more wildlife and aesthetic value.
at 2m Year 7
spacing
• Hand plant a single row of hardwood Year 2
saplings (5-6 foot, bare root stock).
• Alternate between green ash and sugar
maple at 2m spacing.
Windbreak protection zones and crop yields*
Pre • The faster growing green ash will eventually Prevailing wind direction
Win vailin *Distances and figures are approximate. Vertical scale exaggerated.
dD g be thinned out, to allow for a well spaced
irec
tion row of sugar maple. The initial planting of
ash trees between the maples allows the
crowns to touch and achieve the desired
porosity sooner. Once the ash trees are 25-50% 50-70%
Windbreak of open field of open field 70-80%
removed, shrubs can be planted between height = 30 ft wind velocity wind velocity of open field wind velocity
the maples to attain desired windbreak
porosity from top to bottom. 200 ft 400 ft 600 ft
Zone of decreased crop yield Zone of increased crop yield Average crop yield

Year 5
Windbreak
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

Farmstead Shelterbelts
Since 1954, the GRCA has worked with private landowners to
achieve their environmental goals and enhance their property by

Windbreak planting trees. The GRCA has helped thousands of landowners plant
more than 26 million trees.
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
Landowners in the watershed with more than one hectare
Field Windbreaks (2.5 acres) of land exclusive of buildings are eligible to participate in
the tree planting program. The trees are grown for their naturalization
qualities and not their looks. They are available in a variety of sizes,
ranging from seedlings through to bare root tall stock.

A Forestry Specialist from the Grand River Conservation Authority

is available to help plan your tree planting project.

Farmstead Shelterbelts
Our forestry extension service includes:
Windbreak
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
• A site visit for consultation and an assessment
of the site characteristics.
• A planting plan outlining site preparation, species composition,
design/layout, and future tending requirements.
• Assistance in accessing grant programs.
• Coordinating the planting of trees during the spring
planting season.
• Follow up technical advice as needed. Windbreak
Living Snow Fences FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

For more information or to arrange a site visit contact

one of the GRCA forestry specialists:
1-866-900-4722 (519) 621-2761 Windbreak Farmstead
ruralwater@grandriver.ca
Shelterbelts
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
 Snow Fences
Single Row Hardwood Shelterbelt

Farmstead
Pr
Wi evail
nd ing
Objectives
Dir
ect

Shelterbelts
ion • Decrease barn heating and cooling costs.
• Aesthetics.
Surrounding your farmstead with trees is a good investment, reducing energy costs
and improving livestock health. Strategy
Year 1
• Hand plant a single row of hardwood
saplings (5-6 foot, bare root stock).
Three Row Mixed Species Shelterbelt • Alternate between soft maple and polar
at 2m spacing.
Pr
Wi evail • The faster growing poplars will eventually
nd ing
Dir
ect
io
Objectives Windbreak protection zones and crop
be thinned out, toyields*
allow for a well spaced
n row of maples. The initial planting of
Single row
• Decrease barn heating costs. Prevailing wind direction
alternating poplar trees between the maples allows *Distances and figures are approximate. Vertical scale exaggerated.
between maple
the crowns to touch and achieve the
• Reduce odour from hog barn. and poplar at
Planting Day 2m spacing desired porosity sooner.
• Aesthetics.
• Once the trees reach maturity, their
25-50% crowns will provide shade to cool the
50-70%
Strategy Windbreak of open field poultry barn from the hot sun
of open fieldand 70-80%
height = 30 ft wind velocity decrease cooling costs.
wind velocity of open field wind velocity
• Install plastic mulch prior to planting 200 ft 400 ft 600 ft
for weed control and moisture retention. Year 5
Zone of decreased crop yield Zone of increased crop yield Average crop yield
Three row • Hand plant a three row windbreak at
Shelterbelt 3m spacing.
Outside row:
spruce • The outside row consists of spruce.
Double Row Conifer and Hardwood Shelterbelt
Middle row: • The middle row consists of poplar.
poplar P
W reva
• The inside row consists of a mix Planting Day ind ili
Inside row:
Di ng Objectives
hardwoods
and shrubs
of hardwoods and shrubs. Designing a living snow fence that will effectively trap snow*
rec
tio
n
• The faster growing poplars will provide • Protect livestock from harsh winds.
wind protection sooner in the life span of Prevailing wind direction *Distances and figures are approximate, there are variations
• Aesthetics.
the shelterbelt. The middle poplar row may to this rule depending on wind speeds, the topography and
be thinned out once the spruces are large the density of the trees.
enough to provide wind protection for the Strategy
barn. The mixed hardwood and shrub row Inside row:
provides aesthetics and biodiversity. Year 3 White spruce • Hand plant a double row windbreak at
Mature height
at 4m 4m spacing between trees and 4m spacing
= 10 meters
spacing
between rows.
10 meters 20 meters 30 meters
• The inside row consists of white spruce.
Three Row Conifer & Hardwood Shelterbelt Plan ahead and consider the height of the trees at maturity. Snow accumulation area Road or laneway
• The outside row consists of sugar maple.
As a general rule of thumb, the snow will be deposited on the leeward
Pr side of theOutside
row ofrow:
trees for a distance of 3 times the height• ofThe
the trees.
spruce row will protect the livestock from
Wi evail Two rows Sugar maple
nd ing harsh winds, while the maple row provides
Dir
ect
of spruce at
3m x 3m
Objectives at 4m
spacing enhanced aesthetics.
ion spacing
• Decrease barn heating costs.
Planting Day Year 3
• Aesthetics.

Strategy
Windbreak protection to reduce heating cost and protect livestock*
• Hand plant a three row windbreak of 2 foot
potted spruces and 5 foot sapling maples. Prevailing wind direction *Figures are approximate, there are variations
One row of
to this rule depending on wind speeds, the
maple at 5m • The two inside rows consist of white spruce topography and the density of the trees.
spacing 30%
at 3m spacing. Spacing is staggered Year 2 reduction in
to optimize wind protection for the barn. air conditioning
Improved
• The outside row consists of sugar maple 25% livestock health
reduction in
at 5m spacing. heating costs
• The spruce rows are to provide optimal
wind protection while the maple row
provides enhanced aesthetics. Plant multiple rows Plant a diverse mix of species, Establish a shelterbelt around fileds to protect
including deciduous trees and shrubs livestock from harsh winter winds
Year 4
Windbreak
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

Living Snow Fences

Since 1954, the GRCA has worked with private landowners to
achieve their environmental goals and enhance their property by

Windbreak
planting trees. The GRCA has helped thousands of landowners plant
more than 26 million trees.

FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
Landowners in the watershed with more than one hectare
Field Windbreaks (2.5 acres) of land exclusive of buildings are eligible to participate in
the tree planting program. The trees are grown for their naturalization
qualities and not their looks. They are available in a variety of sizes,
ranging from seedlings through to bare root tall stock.

A Forestry Specialist from the Grand River Conservation Authority

Windbreak
is available to help plan your tree planting project.

FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

Farmstead Shelterbelts
Our forestry extension service includes:
• A site visit for consultation and an assessment
of the site characteristics.
• A planting plan outlining site preparation, species composition,
design/layout, and future tending requirements.
• Assistance in accessing grant programs.
• Coordinating the planting of trees during the spring
planting season.
• Follow up technical advice as needed. Windbreak
Living Snow Fences FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences

For more information or to arrange a site visit contact Living

one of the GRCA forestry specialists:
Snow
1-866-900-4722 (519) 621-2761
Windbreak
ruralwater@grandriver.ca
Fences
FACTSHEET SERIES: Field Windbreaks, Farmstead Shelterbelts & Living Snow Fences
 Windbreaks
Single Row Spruce Living Snow Fence

Living Objectives

Snow Fences • Decrease snow drifts on the road.

• Improve winter driving safety.
Improve winter driving safety and reduce snow removal costs by using • Improve crop yields.
a strip of trees to trap the snow blowing across open fields.
Strategy
Pre
Win vailin

Double Row Cedar Living Snow Fence Farmstead dD g

irec
tion • Hand plant one row of 2 foot potted

Shelterbelts
white spruce at 2.5m spacing.
• The row of trees is set back 40m
from the road.
Objectives • Leave a 10m gap on both ends for
equipment access.
• Decrease snow drifts on the road. Single row
Pre of spruce
Win vailin • Improve winter driving safety. at 2.5m
dD g spacing
irec
tion • Improve crop yields.

Strategy Year 1

• Hand plant a double row of 1m tall, balled

and burlapped cedars spaced 1.5m apart. Five Row Mixed Species Living Snow Fence
Double row
• The first row on the windward side is set
of cedar at back 35m from the road.
1.5m x 1.5m
spacing Pre
Win vailing
d Di
Objectives
rect
ion
• Decrease snow drifts on the laneway.
• Decrease snow removal costs. Year 1
Year 14
Windbreak protection zonesStrategy
and crop yields*
Five rows at
Prevailing2mwind
x 3mdirection • Hand plant five rows of seedlings at 2m
Three Row Spruce Living Snow Fence spacing
spacing between trees and 3m spacing
*Distances and figures are approximate. Vertical scale exaggerated.

Row 1 between rows.

(outside row):
Poplar
• The outside two rows consist of poplars.
Row 2:
Objectives Poplar 25-50% • Row three consists of50-70%
a mix of green ash
Windbreak of open field of open field 70-80%
Row 3:
height = 30 ft wind velocity and silver maple. wind velocity of open field wind velocity
• Decrease snow drifts on the laneway. Green ash,
silver maple • Row four200
consists
ft of white spruce. 400 ft 600 ft
Pre • Decrease snow removal costs.
Win vailin Row 4:
• Row five consists of red oak.
dD g Whiteofspruce
Zone decreased crop yield Zone of increased crop yield Average crop yield
irec
tion Row 5 • The first row on the windward side
Strategy (inside row):
is set back 35m from the laneway.
Red oak

• Hand plant three rows of white spruce Year 5

seedlings at 2m spacing between trees
and 2m spacing between rows.
• The first row on the windward side
is set back 30m from the laneway.
Designing a living snow fence that will effectively trap snow*
• Leave a 10m gap on both ends for Prevailing wind direction *Distances and figures are approximate, there are variations
equipment access. to this rule depending on wind speeds, the topography and
the density of the trees.

Three rows
of spruce Mature height
at 2m x 2m
spacing
= 10 meters
10 meters 20 meters 30 meters

Plan ahead and consider the height of the trees at maturity. Snow accumulation area Road or laneway
As a general rule of thumb, the snow will be deposited on the leeward
side of the row of trees for a distance of 3 times the height of the trees.
Year 20