Plants for Windbreaks

Evergreen Trees

• When planted on the north or northwest sides of the property, wide, thickly branched evergreen trees, such as the white fir, white pine, jack pine, blue spruce and red cedar, do an excellent job of diverting the winter wind. To minimize winter heating costs, plant groups of these trees close to the house, leaving the south side open to the sun; the dense foliage will buffer the house from the effects of the winter wind, while the rays of the sun will warm the walls of the home.

Deciduous Trees

• Deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall, which reduces their usefulness as windbreaks during the winter; however, during the summer, the heavily leafed branches not only help to redirect the prevailing winds, they also shade and shelter any nearby structures. To reduce the impact of the summer sun, plant clusters of tall, widely branched trees, such as the red maple, the common hackberry, the dogwood, the white oak or the weeping willow, around the perimeter of the house. Not only will these trees deflect hot, humid breezes, they will shade the roof of the house, keeping the indoors cool and reducing air conditioning costs.

Shrubs

• Shrubs are an essential part of many windbreak designs. Strong, compact shrubs such as lilacs, mountain laurels, bayberries, winterberries and chokeberries work well in windbreak groupings. Their dense, sturdy branches shield the trunks of the trees standing behind them and block the movement of low-lying drafts.

Helpful Hints

• When designing a windbreak, include as many different types of trees and shrubs as possible; variations in height and branch density improve the overall effectiveness of the structure. Plant at least two rows of trees and shrubs, staggering the placement of the plants; this reduces the impact of strong winds and redirects the flow of air.