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Basic Windbreak Design Criteria for Farm and Ranch Headquarters Areas and Large Residential Lots

Forestry Technical Note Number MT-17

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Forestry Technical Note Number MT-17 (PDF; 785 KB)

May 1986.
By William Clifton, state staff forester, Soil Conservation Service (SCS), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Bruce Wight, state staff forester, SCS, Bismarck, North Dakota, and David L. Hintz, national windbreak forester, SCS, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Introduction

A well designed, well maintained windbreak will be appreciated for its usefulness and beauty. Plantings made without thought to basic design principles, soils, and species selection often function and grow poorly. Poorly designed windbreaks may not protect key areas; they may deposit drifted snow on buildings, lanes, roads, feeding areas and other areas causing damage, expensive removal operations, blocked access roads or soil wetness problems. They can also be difficult to maintain.

Terminology

Windbreaks are frequently designated primary or secondary. Primary windbreaks are located on the sides where the greatest need for wind protection exists. For example, if the prevailing winds come from the north and west, the windbreak plantings on these sides are primary windbreaks. Any windbreak plantings on the south and east sides would be secondary windbreak plantings.

Location

A preliminary review of any potential windbreak site is a must before any steps are taken to design a farm or ranch headquarters or residential windbreak. During the review, a sketch should be drawn of the area. All primary objects or areas in need of protection, existing windbreaks, other groves or clumps of trees and/or shrubs, soil problems, utilities, direction of prevailing or most troublesome winds, property lines and roads or access lanes should be noted. Figure 1 illustrates the type of information that is desirable in the sketch.

Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows direction of prevailing winds in realtion to trees, structures, roads, and soils on the property.

Layout

The sketch illustrated in figure 1 will be an important aid in the proper layout of a windbreak planting.

If you have any questions regarding this technical note, please contact one of the following:

Robert Logar, State Forester
Phone: (406) 587-6836
Email: Robert.Logar

Ronald Nadwornick, State Resource Conservationist
Phone: (406) 587-6998
Email: Ron.Nadwornick

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Last Modified: 08/18/2008