Living Fences and Windbreaks: Just as trees are critical for providing shade during hot spring and fall days, protection is also needed during the cold winter months. During winter months, wind chill can decrease the temperature by more than double, depending on wind speed. A Living Fence or windbreak will reduce wind speed for a distance of as much as 10 times the living fence or windbreak’s height! Windbreaks help to reduce drifting snow and soil erosion on exposed sites.

Did you know...Windbreaks and living fences planted on the north and west sides of a building can reduce heating costs by up to 30 per cent!

Hedges, Privacy Screens, Living Fences, and Windbreaks in your Landscaping:

• Use several rows (one to five) of defense to create your windbreak. Make it at least 15 feet wide.
• Plant your rows in a line perpendicular to the prevailing wind and upwind from the space or building you want to protect. Check with your local weather station to find out the direction of prevailing winds in your area.
• Design your windbreak as three parts: the windward, centre and leeward. The windward row is what the wind hits first and should be made up of dense, fast growing trees and shrubs that prevent snow from piling up in the centre. This also helps to prevent moisture accumulation in the spring in areas where snow is trapped and is not melted by the sun. The middle row should be made up of tall, fast-growing trees and shrubs that force winds to rise up over the windbreak. Finally, the leeward row should be made up of dense-growing trees and shrubs.
• Use both evergreen and deciduous species to provide a variety of food and shelter for wildlife.