How to Design Windbreaks

Determine your objectives in building a windbreak. Common uses include erosion protection, energy conservation, natural snow fencing and creating a wildlife habitat. Successful blocking of wind for erosion control can be accomplished in as little as 1 row, while developing a new home for wildlife will require a minimum of 3 rows of trees.

Decide on the trees you will use for each row of the windbreak. To maximize efficiency and minimize wind damage to the trees, your outer rows should be trees or shrubs that grow lower to the ground, with the tallest plants in the middle. To provide a windbreak year-round, you will want to have your tallest row made of coniferous trees. You can then plant a variety of deciduous and coniferous for the remaining rows. Trees and shrubs that produce berries are an excellent choice if you are hoping to attract wildlife to your property.

Decide where you would like to place the windbreak. You will want to place the windbreak on the side of your property that sees the most wind. To determine where your windbreak needs to be placed, multiply the height of the tallest row of your windbreak design by 10 to get the number of feet that will be protected. For example, if your tallest trees will grow to be 15 feet tall, you will have 150 feet of protection from your windbreak at maturity.

Design your windbreak using graph paper. This will give you the ability to make a scale drawing so you have an idea of how the finished windbreak will look. Doing your design this way will also allow you to make sure your trees are spaced properly when you plant them. For shrubs on the outer rows, you can plant them as closely as 4 feet apart. Juniper and cedar trees should be planted with at least 8 feet between each tree. Other coniferous and deciduous trees will need between 14 and 16 feet between trees. You want to avoid crowding the trees to allow each tree ample water and sunlight. Crowding also increases the likelihood that you will have to remove trees as they mature.